Our commitment to the Mindful Business Charter, supporting best working practices for mental health and wellbeing

As part of the firm's ongoing commitment to supporting mental health and wellbeing, we have now signed the Mindful Business Charter. 

The Charter brings together a wide range of businesses and professional service firms around the world in a shared agenda and collective commitment to address the avoidable stresses in our working practices, and to promote healthier and more effective ways of working. 

At an event today to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2021, we officially pledge our commitment to abide by a set of principles centred on openness and respect for each other, improved communication, respect for working hours and considerate delegation of tasks.

In a year of unprecedented change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mindful Business Charter continues to provide organisations and individuals with the framework, permission and challenge to dare to be different. It also provides the opportunity for us to work together across our communities to rehumanise the workplace. The charter's focus on creating an open and respectful culture and dialogue connects with our own values and strategic objectives.

Together, we aim to ensure how we work and how we interact with each other is thoughtful, mindful, and shaped as far as possible to eliminate unnecessary stress. This will enable everyone to work more effectively and more healthily, so that we can all thrive.

Director of Talent, Wendy Tomlinson said: "Mental health and wellbeing are core to our strategy, our values and emphasise the importance we place on our people. This is increasingly essential as we continue to support new ways of working in hybrid environments. Everyone deserves a safe space to explore their feelings, experiences and the support to build their resilience. Our signing of the Mindful Business Charter is a significant extension of our commitment to wellbeing and mental health, and will enable us to contribute more to an increasing social concern."

Wellbeing and Mental Health Partner, Laurence Lieberman said: "Wellbeing is a subject close to my heart and one of considerable importance given recent global events. We have invested significantly in providing services and support to help our people manage their mental health in a way that works for them. The Mindful Business Charter is another step in our wellbeing journey and so I'm proud that we're signing up to it."

Mary Peterson, chair of the trustees and Head of Talent and Learning at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, one of the founders of MBC, said: "The last 18 months have been challenging for many businesses, with employees grappling with a new concept of 'living at work' and a lack of boundaries. As such, the MBC, with its focus on reducing avoidable stress and helping to maintain boundaries to promote better wellbeing, is more relevant than ever. In that context it is laudable that Taylor Wessing has demonstrated its public commitment to healthier working practices and positive change by joining our growing group of signatories."

Richard Martin, director of byrne·dean and leading on their Charter work, said: “At times of great challenge and change, simple truths and values that are truly cherished provide us with the direction and answers we need to guide us through. The Charter is simple – be more mindful, more aware, of the impact we have on each other and give each other the permission to talk about it, to be brave, and to ask for what we need to enable us to function at our best and to thrive. The times through which we are all living continue to challenge the notion of work and of workplace. There could not be a more opportune moment for Taylor Wessing  to join the movement and we are so pleased to have you board and contributing to the collective efforts of all the signatories to rehumanise the workplace."