Khaitan & Co announces 'People Well-Being Framework'; provides for "switch-off period", wellness leave for mental stress/burnout

In view of the "tremendous hardship and stress" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Khaitan & Co has released a 'People Well-Being Framework' that provides a number of benefits to its lawyers..A release by Executive Director Amar Sinhji states,"The ongoing pandemic has resulted in tremendous hardship and stress being experienced by each one of us. With the second wave of the pandemic and resultant prolonged WfH measures, many of us are experiencing burn out, exhaustion and other forms of mental / physical distress.".The following are the measures the firm intends to take to combat mental exhaustion among its lawyers and to ensure their long term wellness..Special Sick Leave.A member can avail of Special Sick Leave for COVID-19, for a period of up to 2 weeks, if such member or her/his immediate family has contracted COVID-19 or related complications. This will be treated as “Special Sick Leave” and will be in addition to the normal annual entitlement of 30 days of leave.Immediate family will include all family members residing in the same house or where a member is required to travel to look after her/his parents or the immediate family in another city. COVID-19 leave will be effective from 1 January 2021 and will be in force until further advice..Modified Recuperation Leave.Partners are expected to grant Recuperation Leave of 2 to 3 days to a fee-earner after end of a critical milestone on a matter or a transaction, where she/he has worked extended hours for a prolonged period. Rotating fee-earners across demanding clients and matters is also recommended to allow for some ease up in workload and pressure..Switch-off Period.As extended work from home (WfH) continues, the lines between workday and end of workday, weekdays and weekends have blurred. To provide some sense of boundary, it is critical that each member respects the weekends and as far as possible, end of day timings, as personal time.Client engagement and management: It is recommended that the workload should be managed such that it is limited to critical or urgent work during weekends. Partners should make sure that work is taken on and implemented in a manner that the timelines for client deliverables are reasonable, realistic and managed during the week. If required, partners should have an amicable conversation with their clients to set reasonable timelines or seek extensions where required or possible. Switch-off Period: Depending on practice needs, each practice will be required to schedule a weekly Switch-off Period of 24 hours, either on a Saturday or Sunday, to allow uninterrupted personal time. During the Switch-off Period, members will not be expected to respond to emails or calls, unless absolutely urgent. Reduced Emails and Calls: It is also recommended that members should reduce emails and calls during the weekends, starting 8:00 pm on Friday till 8:00 am on Monday. 6. Switch-off Periods will come into immediate effect and will be applicable initially till end of June 2021..Wellness Leave.Any member who is experiencing mental health, burnout, anxiety, chronic stress or similar ailments, can request for Wellness Leave from their Team Leader(s) and Human Resources.Period for the Wellness Leave for such member will be determined basis discussions between the Regional/Cluster HR Head and the concerned Team Leader(s), basis the need of the concerned member..Recommended best practice for communication.It is critical that members, including Partners, appreciate personal time during the course of the workday and otherwise. Partners and members are recommended NOT to call other members, without prior notice (ideally by email or message). Of course, this does not apply in urgent client situations. The firm reposes trust in its members that they will continue to work in a professional and trustworthy manner, such that needs of the firm’s clients are met..Wellness Engagement.The firm is setting up Small Group Engagement sessions on wellness and work-life balance and all Members are encouraged to join these sessions. Members should also reach out to Human Resources for any specific requirement relating to their individual well-being. In the absence of collegial gatherings in office during WfH, all Team Leaders are encouraged to have weekly or frequent social catch-up calls with their teams.