Workplace conduct and wellbeing

Queensland Law Society (QLS) is committed to playing its part in leading the profession towards healthy, safe and sustainable workplaces and overall wellbeing.

Bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment of any kind are unacceptable, inexcusable and unethical workplace behaviours. It is recognised that workplace harassment and bullying exist in many forms.  These issues are exacerbated by business cultures that are not receptive or open to recognising and dealing with these behaviours appropriately as they arise.

Any type of behaviour that creates a hostile working environment in the legal profession, or permits such an environment to continue, has negative consequences on the individuals, organisations, the profession and ultimately the community

Guidance statements

These statements outline QLS's commitment to leading the profession to healthy, safe and sustainable workplaces: 

Support for practitioners

Practitioners can access support via the below services:

Reporting and complaints

The following organisations can assist if you need to report inappropriate behaviour or make a complaint: 

Decorative

Changing workplace culture series

As part of its Changing Workplace Culture training series, the QLS is offering two bespoke in-house training workshops:

Module 1– Sexual Harassment
Module 2 – Being an Active Bystander.

Depending on the needs of your organisation, you can choose to enrol in either one of these workshops, or the two workshop modules as a package.  

Find out more

Help, services and support

LawCare

LawCare is a wellbeing support service designed for Queensland Law Society members. Converge International, the independent and external provider of LawCare, also partners with organisations to provide knowledge and thought leadership services for organisational performance, incident management and workforce wellness.

Find out more

Rule 42 of The Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules 2012 provides that: 

"A solicitor must not in the course of practice engage in conduct which constitutes discrimination, sexual harassment or workplace bullying. To breach that rule is conduct capable of being unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct".

To complain about such conduct to the disciplinary authority a complaint should be made to the Legal Services Commission (LSC).  The Society recommends that anyone making such a complaint also make personal contact with the Commission.