Why become a Mindful Employer?

The MINDFUL EMPLOYER Charter demonstrates to employees and others that they are a good employer through expressing their corporate social responsibility and complying with legislative requirements. The charter provides employers with self assessments to review their baseline in the recruitment and retention of employees (it is not a target or policy to implement); this helps to reduce recruitment, sickness levels and training costs, by enhancing procedures already in place. This will then enable disclosure of mental ill health to take place without fear of rejection or prejudice, therefore, the employer is more attractive to people with mental health issues. The charter also aims to increase awareness of mental ill health and provides information and support for employers, helping to retain employees who have experienced discrimination in the past and makes for a healthier workplace. Ultimately this will then improve the productivity and enhance customer services of the business.

The Eastern Development Centre is working in partnership with MINDFUL EMPLOYER which is facilitated by WorkWAYS, a service of Devon Partnership NHS Trust. MINDFUL EMPLOYER is a registered trade mark of Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

MINDFUL EMPLOYER has operated free of charge since it began in October 2004. The UK-wide popularity of the initiative and the need to maintain high standards is generating costs. From April 2009, a one-off New Signatory Administration Fee for employers signing the charter is payable - £50 (under 50 employees); £75 (50-250); £100 (250+). A fee is also payable when the charter review takes place 2 years after signatory and then every 3 years after that - £75 (under50); £110 (50-250); £150 (250+) per review.

To find out more:


Once you have completed the response form within the information pack, you will receive:

  • An original charter showing the name of the business and the senior signature, further copies at 25 pence each
  • Guidance on how and where to use the logo
  • Guidance on working towards the charter
  • Details of the review procedure
  • Comments & complaints procedure
  • Posters
  • Guidance on news releases
  • A free sample of Mindful Employer leaflets, further leaflets are obtained at £3.48 per 10 copies.