Scullion Law: Thrilled to be a Glasgow Business Award Finalist #GBA19

We at Scullion LAW are delighted to finalise for the highly respected, Glasgow Business Awards 2019 category Healthy & Active Workplace. This is a great achievement for us.

What makes Scullion LAW one of the greatest places to work? Our people.

Our people are our greatest asset so naturally their health and well-being is our priority.

There is no wrong path and not everyone at Scullion LAW took the traditional route. Mr Scullion who founded the firm back in 1979 did not start University until he was in his mid 20s. He funded his own way through Glasgow University and built the firm in Hamilton from scratch, with no helping hand and a small family to raise. Hard work, determination and passion is key. If you focus and believe you will achieve.

Career progression

Having been in business for over 40 years, the firm has always put the team first. That is why we are able to celebrate staff retention. Gemma Brown has been with us over 18 years working her way up from office admin to Executive Director. She is now studying to become a solicitor. We want to empower our staff. Shanna has been with us 13, Nicholas 13, Kris 8, Alana 8, and our cashier Isabel was with us for 27!! We encourage all employees to fulfil their professional and personal development. We like to promote from within as and when we can to give our team the chance to progress. We also want to attract, train and develop people from a variety of backgrounds and that is why we work closely with Routes to Work via South Lanarkshire Council Job Centre to give people an #opportunity. We are not exclusive, clique or stuffy, instead we are all very down to earth, welcoming, friendly and professional. That is what we believe, sets us apart.

We respect each other as individuals.

Work life balance

We have access to health insurance which gives us discounted gym membership and keeps us active. We have flexible working hours and can go to the gym before, during or after work. We are also able to work around the kids or from home, with access to laptops and phones if needed. We get vouchers towards nursery fees, death in service, life insurance, work pension etc. No one is a prisoner. We want our staff to be happy and come to work at Scullion LAW because they enjoy what they do. They take pride in what they do and they want to do what they do – to the best of their ability. We are all only human after all.

Fundraising

Prioritising the health and well-being of the team human to human (H2H) really improves the overall productivity and profitability. There are fewer sick days as a result of the team feeling more involved and engaged. We have experienced a rise in people #fundraising and taking a proactive approach to #events such as the recent 23 mile #KiltwalkGlasgow.

Our Family Solicitor Judith Higson will be doing a Zip Slide across the River Clyde on 7 September and our receptionist Yvonne Flemming is doing the Memory Walk in Strathclyde Park on 15 September in aid of Alzheimer Scotland. We think it is important to challenge yourself and recognise fundraising as a FUN way of doing something positive for others.

Fundraising is a great way to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. I particularly find that running helps to clear my head and i’m considering signing up again for the Great Scottish Run 10K which a few of us took part in last year.

Plants, mindfulness and bringing the outdoors in.

In Hamilton we have a large outdoor space full of plants, flowers, trees and a thinking swing. We often sit on this and get fresh air when the need arises to get out of the office. We encourage all our team to take a tea break, lunch break and to exercise by taking a gentle walk during lunch and remaining hydrated throughout the day by drinking lots of water.

Our yellow room is a quiet space which is used for reflection and reading as well as for team brainstorming sessions. It is full of plants and the two large windows open up to allow light and air in. There is nothing worse than air conditioning and feeling trapped inside. We want to feel free. That is why fresh air is so important and encouraged to clear the head.

Nicholas also likes to go on ‘walking meetings’ where we discuss business in the street, walking from A-B to get up and out of the office. This allows us to feel less tense, more relaxed, more focused and enthusiastic. We are also going to look into standing desks.

Laughter

Life is short and if you love what you do, you will do a better job. It is important to enjoy your day and the company of colleagues. It is good to laugh and feel alive. The day to day work we deal with can be very heavy, detailed and requires sharp focus. So when we get up and away from the desk, we like to lighten the atmosphere and have a laugh. Our lunch time Spanish classes normally get a giggle or two.

Diana McLeish continues… ‘I could go on and on… but I won’t. Overall Scullion LAW is the best place I have worked and if you look at the past blog posts from my colleagues you will see why this award nomination is rightly deserved. Have a look at some of our previous posts’.

We are all thrilled with the recognition and already feel like we are #winning because we have a great team. Thank you for supporting our nomination. We look forward to the Awards on 3 October 2019. Glasgow. Read more about the Glasgow Business Awards here https://www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com/news/news/2019/august/15/the-glasgow-business-awards-2019-finalists-announced/