Continuing with our theme of mental health awareness for the month of May…today we’re going to approach a much more lighthearted topic: How to make your workplace a great place to be! 

Team-building activities and increased morale can have all sorts of positive effects on the workplace. It forges bonds between coworkers, enhances communication and problem-solving skills, and boosts productivity in the long run. Happier employees mean less turnover. But outside of all the workplace talk–why wouldn’t you want to make others happy and prioritize their mental health if it’s within your power?

After making the switch to a hybrid schedule last year, PBI formed the esteemed PFC (PBI Fun Committee), which seeks to make each month special and create events everyone can look forward to. If you’re the manager in charge wondering how to raise morale, or a fellow party planner searching for new ideas, this blog is for you. Read on!

(more…)

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? To acknowledge this, Raising the Bar will be covering topics related to mental health all month long. After all, mental health issues are deep-rooted in the stressful career of law. It’s vital to cultivate an awareness of these issues while simultaneously tearing down the stigma that surrounds them. With each passing year, society improves in acknowledging the mental health crisis. Let’s keep the conversation going.

(more…)

There’s only so much time in a day. Our work week is often filled with meetings–meetings among staff members, meetings with clients–and time can easily get away from you if you’re not careful. Time-wasting meetings can lead to a negative attitude and lower morale among your coworkers. You might even hear the common utterance, “This couldn’t have been an email?”

(more…)

Our posture is not usually on the forefront of our minds. Often we might find ourselves so consumed with our work, we blink and realize that we’re hunched over our keyboard or bending our neck low to read messages on our phone. It’s not healthy in the long run. As we age, all sorts of new aches and pains wait in the wings to greet us–and many unpleasant symptoms can be caused by bad posture.

(more…)

Life isn’t black and white. Lawyers are no strangers to facing ethical dilemmas on the daily as they take on various challenges for their clients. All the while, you must adhere to a strict code of conduct, avoid conflicts of interest, and focus on upholding integrity and client confidentiality. At times, it can feel overwhelming. Stress and burnout loom. You might feel lost or unsure of how to navigate difficult choices.

(more…)

We made it to spring! …Right?

The weather might not be as warm as we hoped, but spring events such as Earth Day and PBI’s Environmental Law Forum are right around the corner! Be sure to join us for the big two-day event next week at the Hilton Harrisburg! Learn about emerging trends, technological innovations, and best management strategies while revitalizing your practice. 

Even if it’s too gloomy to step outside, you can always surround yourself with greenery in your home or work office, something that’s proven to boost your mental health and overall wellbeing. Before making any purchases, be sure to think through what kind of plant might suit your space best. Do you work a hybrid schedule, meaning you’ll rarely be in the office to water the plant? Do you have windows with natural light pouring in? Would you prefer a non-toxic plant to keep curious pets and children safe? We’ve got you covered.

In 2022, we shared six unique, low-maintenance plants to brighten up your office…here are six more!  

(more…)

No doubt you have heard of the term “IQ,” which stands for “Intelligence Quotient,” and measures your knowledge and reasoning abilities through a series of questions. Perhaps you’ve even taken an IQ test and are proudly recalling your score at this very moment. But are you aware of IQ’s sister measurement: EQ?

EQ (Emotional Quotient) is a measure of our emotional intelligence. Though IQ is better known between the two, EQ is equally important because it can affect our relationships and impact our success in life. If you’re wondering if you have a high EQ, here are 5 signs to help you find out.

(more…)

Many careers rely on the power of persuasion in order to be successful. Salespeople, marketers–and of course, lawyers. From reassuring a client you’re the right fit to making your case in front of a judge or jury, persuasion is a useful skill for every lawyer to hone as it can impact your life and the lives of your clients.

(more…)

Project management might not be the first thing that comes to mind when most hear the word “lawyer.” They might think of dramatic court battles or long study sessions surrounded by law books.

The aspects of project management might not be so glamorous, but they are essential skills for every lawyer, especially in such a competitive and challenging career. You need excellent organizational skills, good judgment in assigning tasks, analyzing results, and the ability to manage multiple people and legal projects. Luckily, there are plenty of tips and tools ready to aid you in this sometimes-overwhelming feat. Let’s discover how to get primed for some serious project management.

(more…)

A good night’s sleep is vital for us all. It can drastically affect your focus, productivity, and overall health. However, the world of law is stressful. You can often find yourself working long hours into the night. Or maybe you simply lie awake well past midnight, plagued by insomnia, pondering your many stressors and to-do lists. If you find yourself nodding along, perhaps it’s time you try these simple “sleep hygiene” hacks.

Despite its name, sleep hygiene isn’t about cleanliness. It’s about forming successful habits to help you attain a good night’s sleep. It includes making adjustments to both your sleep environment and behavior, and even has a little bit of science to back it up. Let’s further explore how sleep hygiene can be a total game changer for your health.

(more…)

These past four years have been a rollercoaster of shifting workplace practices. Many faced the jarring experience of going remote and then being thrust back into the office full-time. Others have found themselves experimenting with a hybrid work model–something that has now become a priority for job seekers everywhere.

If you lead a law firm and you’re keen on attracting an exemplary pool of lawyers, the hybrid work model just might be your secret weapon. Let’s explore the advantages of this workstyle as well as the tireless research that has been poured into the question: Does a hybrid model work?

(more…)

In the present world, “diversity” has become a common word. The concept has been around since the 1960s and is defined as the inclusion of people from different backgrounds. That can mean people of a different race, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, or even a difference in mindset. Each one of us brings something of value to the table. We often hear how important diversity is, but how often do we hear why? Let’s take the time to dive even deeper into the benefits of diversity and the value it can bring to the legal profession.

(more…)