The Charter, originally launched by Barclays and law firms Pinsent Masons and Addleshaw Goddard, brings organisations together to reach a shared agenda for mental health wellbeing.
At an event marking 18 months since the Charter's launch, Mills & Reeve will pledge its commitment to abide by a set of principles centred on improved communication, respect for working hours and considerate delegation of tasks.
The Mindful Business Charter aims to promote a culture of openness about mental wellbeing, ensure responsible business is included as an area of assessment during significant procurement processes and drive forward the actions and necessary change in support of the principles of the Charter.
Claire Clarke, Mills & Reeve’s managing partner said: “Commitment to our culture and the wellbeing of our employees is really important to us. We have had many of the Charter practices and principles unofficially in place for some time but the Charter’s agenda is something we are really proud to be part of. With Mental Health Week approaching next week, this is a great time to make our pledge to implement these positive changes.”
Speaking on behalf of the founding group, Philip Aiken, Managing Director at Barclays said: "Mills & Reeve's wholehearted engagement with the Charter demonstrates its passion and belief in inspiring positive change. The take-up from so many of our banking, legal and wider business counterparts shows the power of collaboration and we hope that in time these principles will be applied in all organisations across all sectors."
Richard Martin, director of byrne·dean and leading on their Charter work, said: “The Charter could not be more relevant at the present time as we tackle the challenges and opportunities of our new working lives against a backdrop of heightened anxiety on so many different levels. It is fantastic that Mills & Reeve is joining the movement at this critical time. At byrne·dean we exist to create kinder, fairer, more productive workplaces and so the Charter lies at the heart of our purpose.”
The Charter has the support of mental health charity Mind, the City Mental Health Alliance, the International Bar Association, the Law Societies of England and Wales and of Scotland, LawCare and the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
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