by Work-Life Balance Committee

B.C.’s Prosecution Service made history on June 27th when the Canadian Bar Association B.C. Branch presented the Criminal Justice Branch (CJB) of the Ministry of Attorney General with the CBABC’s first-ever Work-Life Balance Award.

Attorney General Wally Oppal presented the award to prosecution service head Assistant Deputy Attorney General Robert W. Gillen, QC. Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Sindi Hawkins also attended the event.

Left to right: Antonio Zivanovic (President of Corporate Occupational Solutions Inc.); Assistant Deputy Attorney General R.W.G. (Bob) Gillen, QC; Attorney General Wally Oppal, QC; and Catherine A. Sas, QC (Chair of the Work-Life Balance Committee)

The award, sponsored by Corporate Occupational Solutions Inc., recognizes the leadership and commitment of an organization in the legal community to work-life balance in the practice of law. President, Antonio Zivanovic commended the CBABC for its leadership on this issue.

Presenting the award, Attorney General Oppal praised the CBABC for its vision of work-life balance and underscored the importance of acknowledging that illnesses and setbacks should awaken us to balance life at work and life outside work for optimal health.

Others nominated for this year’s award were: David Hobbs; Real Estate Errors and Omissions Insurance Corporation; The CLE Society; Gourlay Spencer Wade; Murphy Batista; and Boughton Law Corporation. Members of the Criminal Justice Branch’s Health and Wellness Committee, representatives of the other nominees, Interlock, Benchers of the Law Society of B.C., and the Women Lawyers Forum were in attendance.

The high quality of the nominees was impressive by any standard:

• Dave Hobbs was recognized for his ironman adventure and volunteer work;
• Real Estate Errors and Omissions Insurance Corp-oration was noted for its commitment to flexible benefits;
• Gourlay Spencer Wade’s nomination highlighted a commitment to volunteerism, physical fitness and building community both inside and outside the firm;
• Boughton Law Corporation was noteworthy for its Guiding Principle related to a balanced lifestyle and for striving to create a family-friendly law firm;
• Murphy Batista’s nomination was impressive in that it successfully implemented a completely digital practice; and
• CLE’s nomination highlighted the strengths of responding to the needs of each individual employee in a respectful and personal manner.

The CJB nomination distinguished itself on a number of levels. The far reaching commitment from an organizational perspective to building a work-life balance culture that retains and attracts employees was evident.

Inherent in the CJB business plan was a broad-based wellness commitment. Flexible work arrangements, a comprehensive Internet wellness site provided by Interlock, and ongoing professional development related to resiliency were highlights.

“We are sending a message to our Branch members that it is more than just acceptable and right to take care of themselves and their families; it is essential for their well-being and the success and resiliency of our organization as we deliver a vital service to the public of British Columbia,” said ADAG Robert Gillen.

A representative from the CJB, Terry Schultes, QC, Regional Crown Counsel, will be speaking on the issue of Resiliency at the upcoming CBABC Work-Life Retreat in Penticton, B.C., October 3, 2008.

This article was published in the August 2008 issue of BarTalk. © 2008 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.