Osborne Clarke signs Mindful Business Charter committing to better working practices for mental health and wellbeing

International legal practice Osborne Clarke has signed the Mindful Business Charter, joining a number of financial services businesses and law firms in a collective commitment to change the avoidable working practices that can affect employees' mental health and wellbeing.

The Charter, originally launched by Barclays and law firms Pinsent Masons and Addleshaw Goddard, brings banks' in-house legal teams and their legal services providers together to reach a shared agenda for mental health wellbeing.

At an event marking six months since the Charter's launch, Osborne Clarke will pledge its commitment to abide by a set of principles centred on improved communication, respect for working hours and considerate delegation of tasks. Performance against these principles will be monitored as part of a standing agenda item during review meetings.

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.

Osborne Clarke's UK Managing Partner, Ray Berg commented: "Mental health is something that affects us all during our lifetimes either directly or indirectly. So finding ways to support the wellbeing of our people is hugely important to us. The Mindful Business Charter is a great way for us to extend the work we are currently doing with our people, to work in collaboration with our clients, providing open and honest feedback about mental health."

During the last year, Osborne Clarke trained 70+ mental health champions and 10 mental health first aiders, managers and Partners to better support the positive wellbeing of its people and quickly spot signs of mental ill-health.

Speaking on behalf of the founding group, Philip Aiken, Managing Director at Barclays said:

"Osborne Clarke's wholehearted engagement with the Charter demonstrates its passion and belief in inspiring positive change. The take-up from so many of our banking and legal counterparts shows the power of collaboration and we hope that in time these principles will be applied in all organisations across all sectors."

The Charter has the support of mental health charity Mind, the Law Society, Law Care and the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.