Norton Rose Fulbright launches mental health network Breathe
Business | May 15, 2018
Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has launched a new employee network, Breathe, to support the mental health wellbeing of its partners and employees.
Breathe is the firm’s first employee network to focus on mental health wellbeing. It is led by a steering group of volunteers from the London office and is sponsored by James Bateson, partner and global head of financial institutions. The network aims to enhance Norton Rose Fulbright’s existing health and wellbeing strategy by increasing mental health awareness through accessible information, tools and support to reduce the stigma of mental health in the workplace. Breathe will support and assist in the delivery of the firm’s ‘Time to Change' Pledge, signed in December 2016, with the mental health charity Mind.
James Bateson, partner, commented:
“Poor mental health is a serious concern for the legal profession and the associated stigma remains a challenge. Our approach to mental health wellbeing has developed real momentum in recent years and we are committed to promoting the importance of good mental health and a healthier workplace. We aim to provide help and guidance, which can be accessed by all, without stigma. Making positive changes to improve our mental and physical health is something we are passionate about. Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to providing an inclusive working environment that is safe for all its employees and partners, where people are able to speak up about mental health without fear.”
The launch of the network coincides with the UK’s Mental Health Awareness Week (14 – 20 May) and is the latest initiative in the firm’s drive to create and maintain a supportive culture where employees can be supported and open about problems they may be experiencing. The launch of Breathe forms part of the firm’s broader health and wellbeing strategy, launched in 2015, to ensure that all employees are supported in their workplace. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an important part of the firm’s resource to support colleagues in difficulty – 75 partners and staff across EMEA have been trained and accredited as Mental Health First Aiders.
Breathe forms part of Norton Rose Fulbright’s broader Diversity & Inclusion strategy that encompasses a range of employee resource groups: WiN (women); Origins (BAME); Pride (LGBTI); Family Matters (working parents and carers); Compass (Islamic faith and culture); Flex-ability (agile and flexible workers); Shine (disability, long term health conditions and carers).
For further information please contact:
Heledd Phelps-Brown, Head of Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7444 2890; Mob: +44 (0) 7810 503 745
heledd.phelps-brown@nortonrosefulbright.com
Notes for editors:
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm providing the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. The firm has more than 4,000 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Recognized for its industry focus, Norton Rose Fulbright is strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Through its global risk advisory group, the firm leverages its industry experience with its knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.
Norton Rose Fulbright operates in accordance with its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, aiming to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of its offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg. For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices.
