Tomorrow, Friday 22nd, the byrne·dean team are taking a mental health day. We are taking a breath. We won't be at our kitchen tables or in our makeshift office / sheds in the garden for any reason other than to eat our (long) lunch or find our deckchairs ...!
It is not a work day. It is not a holiday. It is a day to be kind to ourselves. Some of the team are planning a long bike ride, one member is baking, another is looking forward to walking with a great friend. It doesn't matter what it is as long as it is restorative.
At this time, more than ever, we need to be conscious of the impact the busy world has on us. That world seems to have got smaller and larger at the same time these last few weeks. We've receded into our homes but we've brought the workplace with us. Bringing our "whole selves to work" has taken on new meaning .... perhaps it is more accurate to say that we have brought our work to ourselves. And it's tough isn't it? The boundaries get blurred easily.
We've been supporting our clients by delivering a variety of programmes that help their people ensure they are getting the demarcation they need to perform effectively. Whilst not every employer can give its team a mental health day, there is so much that can be done to alleviate the pressure, through expectation setting and management, supporting proper rest breaks and creating individual employee working patterns that work for the business and the team member. And the feedback we have been getting is that it is really helping.
So in mental health awareness week, which focuses this year on celebrating kindness, please do try to take some time for yourselves - be kind to yourselves. Take a breath.
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Happy hour? A conversation about alcohol and work – culture, risk and belonging
From post-deal drinks to client events and team celebrations, alcohol is woven into workplace culture. Yet when something goes wrong, it’s rarely seen as ‘just a drink’.
With new duties on employers to prevent sexual harassment, and growing attention on workplace risk and inclusion, it’s time to take a more intentional look at how alcohol shapes workplace culture – and the risks it carries.
This short, focused webinar will explore:
• How alcohol contributes to conduct, harassment and reputational risk
• The assumptions we make about what’s normal, social or expected
• How alcohol intersects with inclusion, wellbeing and boundaries
• What to think about when conducting risk assessments and looking at policies
• Practical steps to build positive connection while protecting what matters
Speakers:
Helen Dallimore
Head of Training, Byrne Dean
An experienced facilitator, trainer and former employment lawyer, Helen works with organisations to strengthen leadership capability and embed respectful workplace behaviours. She brings particular expertise in creating inclusive cultures where people feel safe, respected and able to thrive.
Cicilia Wan
Principal Consultant, Byrne Dean
A former employment lawyer and experienced Head of Employee Relations in global financial services, Cicilia has seen first-hand how alcohol can affect conduct at work, with deep expertise in leadership, culture and people risk.
Steven McCann
Founder and Director, MCG Consulting
A leading voice in workplace addiction and recovery inclusion, Steven advises organisations on addiction awareness, recovery-informed culture and social mobility. He has spoken at the Bank of England and works regularly with law societies, the Legal Services Board and institutions across law, finance and corporate sectors.
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