Nine more firms sign up to Mindful Business Charter

Nine law firms have signed up to the Mindful Business Charter, which pledges to change avoidable working practices that have a negative impact on employees’ mental health.

The charter was launched six months ago by Addleshaw Goddard and Pinsent Masons, together with major bank Barclays. At an even hosted by fellow signatory Eversheds Sutherland last week, nine more firms signed up:

• Capsticks;
• CMS;
• DWF;
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer;
• Herbert Smith Freehills;
• Michelmores;
• Osborne Clarke;
• Stone King; and
• Weightmans.

Richard Foley, senior partner of Pinsent Masons said: "Just six months since launch, the Mindful Business Charter has already started to promote a cultural shift in our daily working practices. Small adjustments have the potential to dramatically improve our day-to-day professional life and support mental wellbeing.

"By working together we can foster positive change. It's fantastic to see that more corporates and their law firm advisors firms share our aspirations and are joining the Charter's movement."

Philip Aiken, managing director at Barclays added: "It’s hugely exciting to see the number of law firms signing up to the Mindful Business Charter continue to grow. This goes to show that many organisations want to find ways in which they can support their colleagues in pursuing careers which are sustainable for the long term and, while the Mindful Business Charter has its origins in the legal industry, this will also be relevant to many organisations beyond the legal profession.”