Manchester law firm signs Time to Change mental health pledge

Manchester commercial law firm Kuits has signed a pledge to raise awareness of mental health and the support network available for its employees.

Managing partner Steve Eccleston and executive partner Robert Levy signed the firm’s official Employer Pledge on Time to Talk Day (7^th February) an event which aims to remove stigma and bring people together to have a conversation about mental health.

Time to Talk Day forms part of the calendar for the Time to Change movement, which is led by national mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, Comic Relief and the National Lottery.

Kuits worked with the campaign’s organisers to put together a comprehensive organisational action plan that sets out how the firm plans to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination across eight key pillars, including the demonstration of senior level buy-in and the implementation of policies to address mental health problems in the workplace.

Kuits’ plan includes the provision of specialist training for line managers and the introduction of Employee Champions across the firm, who can signpost colleagues to further support services.

Alison Pearse, Head of HR for Kuits, said: “Mental health problems affect one in four people, yet many are still afraid to talk about these issues, particularly at work.

“By bringing together the whole team to witness their signing of the pledge, the management team at Kuits is sending a strong message that, as the business enters its 110th year, it is as alive as ever to the changing needs of its team members in the 21st century.”

“We hope that other employers across Manchester will see what we are doing here and get on board with this initiative, and we would be happy to talk to any firms looking to do so.”

Kuits was named Regional Employer of the Year 2018 by the British Chambers of Commerce.