Carson McDowell commits to Mindful Business Charter to foster better working practices for mental health and wellbeing

Carson McDowell has become the first independent professional services firm in Northern Ireland to sign the Mindful Business Charter.

The firm joins a wide range of businesses and professional service firms around the world in a collective commitment to address the avoidable stresses in our working practices, to promote healthier and more effective ways of working. The Charter, originally launched by Barclays and law firms Pinsent Masons and Addleshaw Goddard in October 2018, brings organisations and their service providers together to reach a shared agenda for mental health and wellbeing.

At an event marking Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, Carson McDowell will pledge its 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 the midst of all of the upheaval and change brought about by 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 and to work together across the business community to rehumanise the workplace. Its focus on creating an open and respectful culture and dialogue seeks to ensure that whatever the broader context in which we are being required to work, how we work and how we interact with each other should be thoughtful, mindful, and shaped as far as possible to eliminate unnecessary stress so that we can work both more effectively and more healthily – so that we can all thrive.

Roger McMillan, Managing Partner at Carson McDowell said:

“The health and wellbeing of the team at Carson McDowell is one of the firm’s greatest priorities. I am extremely proud of the resilience and team work that our colleagues have demonstrated over the last 15 months while we have been working remotely. Signing the Mindful Business Charter further underpins our commitment to supporting our colleagues by promoting healthy working practices. We are the first professional services firm in Northern Ireland to sign the charter and I would be hopeful that other organisations would also get involved.”

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 12 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 Carson McDowell 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 Carson McDowell 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.”

The MBC 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 and Singapore, LawCare and the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.

Further information on the Mindful Business Charter can be found at www.mindfulbusinesscharter.com or contact richard.martin@byrnedean.com or lisa.swinney@byrnedean.com.