The Work Couch: Addiction in the legal sector (Part 2): Allyship and supporting people in recovery, with Steve McCann, Becky Banks and Charlotte Reid

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.

Content warning: The following content explores themes around addiction in a workplace context, including substance use and gambling, which some people might find distressing.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we are devoting a two-part conversation to explore how substance use and other addictive coping behaviours can show up in high-pressure environments, including the legal sector - and what a more recovery-informed, psychologically safe culture looks like in practice.

In part two, and building on this year's theme of action, we discuss how we can be effective allies and outline the practical actions employers, managers and colleagues can take to support people in and beyond recovery. Host Ellie Gelder is joined by Steve McCann and Becky Banks from MCG Consulting - a pioneering consultancy specialising in addiction awareness, recovery-informed inclusion and workplace culture transformation – and completing the panel, Charlotte Reid, senior associate in our Employment, Engagement & Equality team.

Together, they discuss:

• what allyship does and does not mean in the context of recovery and beyond;
• how allyship can strengthen an employer's legal and regulatory obligations, for example duties owed to the FCA and SRA;
• institutional allyship and the shift in attitude among regulators;
• how support in US law firms compares to UK firms; 
• creating psychologically safe work cultures; 
• and training line managers on recognising patterns and handling disclosures sensibly. 

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All information is correct at the time of recording. The Work Couch is not a substitute for legal advice.

To access further support on addiction issues, you may wish to visit: Alcohol Change UK, Smart Recovery, GAMCare (for gambling related harm) or We Are With You.

 References

• Work Couch podcast "Addiction at work: Disciplinary or wellbeing issue?" (10 April 2024)