IN DETAIL: WORKPLACE WELLBEING
Small Changes for a Big Difference With our growing propensity to stay connected to our work even in our downtime, stress levels are higher than ever. Now, the Mindful Business Charter is driving change in how we work to support our mental health and wellbeing.
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ong hours and stress are endemic throughout the business community in Hong Kong. The added strain caused by the global outbreak of COVID-19 has made it more important to manage our stress, mental health and wellbeing. Extraordinary times demand innovative approaches. The Mindful Business Charter (MBC), launched in 2018, aims to reduce unnecessary workplace stress.
From Global to Local – the MBC Journey
initially developed by lawyers, the MBC principles are universal across sectors and can be adopted by anyone.
The MBC Principles The MBC sets out to tackle unnecessary stress by setting out best practice and behavioural principles. Its commitments are made at both the organisational and individual levels through four key pillars.
(i) Openness and Respect
The MBC came about through The MBC has been embraced conversations between the inThe first pillar reminds us house legal team at Barclays to discuss upfront with widely because its aim is clear: and two of their panel law colleagues about their drive positive change through firms – Pinsent Masons and preferred method of Addleshaw Goddard in the targeted adjustments in our daily communication. Whilst UK – about a need to change some prefer face-to-face work, and ultimately, across the rules of engagement interactions, others may prefer between clients and lawyers emails or phone calls and businesses and professions to to safeguard mental health these preferences can change make our work lives sustainable and wellbeing. Given that it is based on circumstances. and more resilient. impossible and undesirable to The MBC emphasises being eliminate all workplace stress, conscious and mindful of an the MBC prioritises small individual’s preferences and but meaningful changes to working patterns and reminds working practices which can have a big impact on us to adapt our style to suit others. mental health and wellbeing. (ii) Smart Meetings and Emails Since its launch, the MBC has gained traction Our inboxes are overflowing, and our diaries with more than 50 signatories across industries packed. The MBC reminds us that we do not need including the legal, financial services, infrastructure, every person to attend every meeting in person. manufacturing and life sciences sectors committing We can all be more mindful by ensuring only the to this initiative. right people are copied into emails and making use of clear subject lines to accurately reflect the email’s The MBC has been embraced widely because its content. aim is clear: drive positive change through targeted adjustments in our daily work, and ultimately, The COVID-19 pandemic can be seen as a turning across businesses and professions to make our point with many businesses adopting agile working work lives sustainable and more resilient. Though
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