Support policies with better design

Many businesses, including law firms, are increasingly implementing policies and programs that support health and wellness - and these are very important. But office design also has an important role in supporting, and getting the maximum benefit of, these policies.

For example, if your firm develops and institutes a policy that provides for wellness breaks, but your office space does not have a room (or enough room) for folks to actually take a quiet, private break, your policy is useless. Similarly, if you have a diversity statement and initiatives - but your office does not actually welcome diverse lawyers, staff and clients, by, for example, providing inclusive restrooms; or lighting, acoustics and way-finding that support a neurodiverse workforce - that policy is meaningless (more on all of these aspects later in the course).

Additionally, when these support services are delivered through the physical building, they (1) benefit everyone who moves through the space and (2) do not require users to disclose personal information in order to obtain the benefits. Unlike “traditional” corporate wellness programs - such as providing employees with an activity tracker - employees also do not have to “opt in” to receive the benefits of things like improved air quality; and they do not have to disclose personal information in order to safely use the restroom or to obtain the benefits of interior design strategies that support a neurodiverse workforce.

We can, and should, design and operate law offices that support a broader range of users, from employees to guests and clients. Let's talk about how.