Category Archives: Menopause at work

HR, HR News, Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Oxford PharmaGenesis gains Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Oxford PharmaGenesis – an award-winning, independent, global HealthScience consultancy – has been awarded the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Providing communications services to the healthcare industry, professional societies and patient groups, the consultancy operates from offices in Europe, America and Asia-Pacific, helping its clients bring evidence-based treatments to patients in areas of unmet medical need.

Including its head office at Oxford Tubney, Oxford PharmaGenesis has seven physical offices and three hubs, with many colleagues either working hybrid or fully remote.

There are several reasons why being a menopause friendly employer is important to Oxford PharmaGenesis. A majority female employer, it’s proud of its caring and nurturing culture. Recognising the need to support its colleagues as their lives evolve while working there, the organisation also seeks to attract senior women in an inclusive manner. It strives to achieve an open and all-encompassing communication that supports breaking biases to help people discuss their personal circumstances for a more tailored approach. Furthermore, as a professional supporter of the healthcare industry, it has a dual commercial and personal interest in health and wellbeing.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

In order to achieve the Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in these six key areas:  culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

Oxford PharmaGenesis is particularly proud of how effective its education and training processes were in breaking the bias and making menopause a natural topic of conversation and area of support. Other key achievements that helped the organisation achieve accreditation include:

 

  • The success of its Menopause Advocates in representing different perspectives and actively developing its offering.
  • Acting on an in-depth review of its facilities and support to make life easier for colleagues.
  • Creating an environment where menopause is commonly and openly discussed.

 

“As a majority female populated company, it is an honour to have been accredited as a Menopause Friendly Employer in recognition of the collective work that has taken place at Oxford PharmaGenesis to break down bias in the workplace on a topic affecting many of our current and future colleagues,” says Sharon Frost, Global HR Director. “I would like to thank our advocates for their hard work and our colleagues who shared their lived experiences to help us create a workplace that now better serves them.”

There were some unexpected surprises as the Oxford PharmaGenesis team worked towards their accreditation. Initially, how little people not directly affected by menopause knew about it (even if they had a partner suffering) and then how quickly people were prepared to share their personal experiences to help shape the support colleagues wanted and needed. Another pleasant surprise was the variety of volunteers stepping up to become menopause advocates including those experiencing menopause, those about to experience it, daughters of mums going through it and a man who wanted to represent/support men and simply learn more.

“Oxford PharmaGenesis have shown themselves to be truly menopause friendly and it was refreshing to hear they don’t view the Menopause Friendly Accreditation as simply a badge of achievement,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “As we so often find, they valued most highly the structure that the accreditation process provides to help them deliver an ongoing programme that has rigour and is truly meaningful. It’s wonderful to hear they are now thinking more broadly and see being menopause friendly as an ongoing process that will evolve and improve their support of colleagues in this area.”

Awards, Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Tilbury Douglas successfully achieves The Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out business, has successfully achieved The Menopause Friendly Accreditation established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace.

The Accreditation is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. In order to achieve it, employers are assessed by an independent panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

Tilbury Douglas has been focused on creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces as part of its Better Together initiative. This included the launch of an employee network called Women @ Tilbury Douglas. 

Craig Tatton, Chief Operating Officer and Better Together Sponsor at Tilbury Douglas, said: “Our Women’s Network has been committed to embedding high standards that embrace menopause in our workplaces. This has included seminars for all employees on World Menopause Day and the launch of a Menopause Policy, as well as training for senior management.

“We recognise that true inclusion is a journey, but we are proud to be officially accredited for everything that has been accomplished so far.”

“I’m greatly encouraged by the success and impact of the Women’s Network at Tilbury Douglas and pleased to see them prioritise menopause in the workplace,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace. “Achieving The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is something to be proud of and especially for industries, such as construction, that are traditionally male orientated in terms of their staffing and business activity. Tilbury Douglas has done exceptionally well and I hope other similar businesses are inspired and encouraged by what they have achieved.”

Awards, Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Wellbeing at Work

Winners Revealed at Menopause Friendly Employer Awards 2023

  • Organisations large and small crowned as winners in 11 categories
  • Prestigious live event celebrates menopause in the workplace
  • Police force, football club, government department, NHS team and telecoms giant among the winners

 

Hosted by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace and powered by headline sponsors HSBC UK, first direct, M&S Bank and Peppy, the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards were presented by broadcaster Louise Minchin on Thursday September 14, 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Over 350 guests gathered there while another 250 joined virtually from across the country.

Also in attendance was the Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee who called on all employers to follow through their menopause pledges and policies with training, education, employee resources and networks, menopause champions and physical adjustments.

Now in its second year, the 2023 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards recognise organisations and individuals whose commitment and determination have succeeded in providing support, solutions and resources that normalise menopause in the workplace. Two new categories this year celebrated the work of SMEs and organisations fully embracing diversity and inclusion.

 

“The winners this year came from a diverse range of organisations, large and small, including a government department, high street bank and NHS organisation alongside a football club, university and telecoms giant,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “I was delighted to hear from the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel that not only was the standard exceptionally high, but the creativity, energy and commitment from employers was outstanding.

“The Independent Panel was looking particularly for the impact achieved within the workplace. This reinforces the point that just having a policy in place is not enough and it’s only through action and continued commitment that impact will be felt and the lived experience of menopause in the workplace changed for good.”

 

Notable among the winners were the number of traditionally male-dominated businesses, public services and smaller organisations. Once again, the courage, conviction and commitment shown by individuals entering the Community Award and the Carolyn Lazurus Award were immensely moving. The standard was extremely high leading the Independent Panel to give some Highly Commended awards for outstanding achievements and naming joint winners in the Community Award as they simply couldn’t choose between them.

 

“I’ve said it before and will keep on saying it: a menopause policy going dusty in a drawer won’t cut it: employers must put it in practice, make it live and breathe,” says the Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee. “It takes action, commitment and often a great deal of courage to step up to change the lived experience of menopause in the workplace. The Menopause Friendly member organisation commit to sharing their insight and best practice with other employers. I would urge any business that doesn’t yet have a successful workplace strategy in place to get in touch and learn from others to fast-track becoming a menopause friendly employer.”

 

The winners of the 2023 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards are:

 

Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year

Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year – Thames Valley Police

Small Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year – Marine Management Organisation

Highly Commended – Bristol Myers Squibb

 

Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer

Joined Up Care Derbyshire

 

Most Open Workplace

Santander

 

Best Engagement Campaign

Department for Education

 

Most Menopause Friendly Environment

QVC

 

Best Trained Workforce

Bristol Myers Squibb

 

Best Training Initiative

BT Group

Highly Commended – Dentons

 

Best Support Group

WTW

Highly Commended – Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

Most Supportive Partner

Huddersfield Town Football Club

 

Community Award – joint winners

Paula Rix – Medical Protection Society

Gill Thomas – Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

The Carolyn Lazurus Award

Maureen Montague – University of Greenwich

Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Three police forces secure national Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire (BCH) police forces have been jointly accredited as Menopause Friendly employers in recognition of their high standards and proven practices that embrace the menopause in the workplace.

The national, industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Accreditation (MFA) has been awarded to five police forces to date and is testament to their ongoing commitment to promoting awareness, understanding and support of the menopause.

To achieve accreditation, employers must evidence six key areas, namely culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities, and evaluation.

Menopause friendly measures implemented across the three forces to date include support groups, workplace adjustments to enable people to continue working through the menopause, training, events and the publication of clear menopause policies and guidance for colleagues and managers.

Volunteers from across the three forces have trained as menopause champions to provide compassionate, confidential advice to those who need it, and further support is available via an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

BCH menopause lead ACO Cat Hemmings said: “I am delighted that Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire police forces have secured the Menopause Friendly Accreditation. On behalf of everyone involved in this extensive work, I would like to say how proud we all are.

“The three forces are strongly committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work. Central to this is enabling everyone to bring their whole selves to work and ensuring they have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

“Menopause is a life event that our policies, processes and procedures need to take account of. Whether directly experiencing the menopause, working alongside or managing someone who is, or engaging with a member of the public who may have symptoms, it is imperative that we provide support, raise awareness, dispel myths and normalise conversations. Achieving accreditation is testament to each force’s commitment and provides the foundation on which we will continue to build.”

Most people will be affected by the menopause – whether directly or indirectly – at some point in their lives. While menopausal symptoms traditionally appear when people are in their 40s and 50s, they can happen sooner due to health issues or surgery. It is also common for people from some ethnic groups, such as those in the Black community, to experience symptoms at a younger age. Menopausal symptoms will affect everyone differently and with varied intensity. Removing judgement and opening lines of communication will ensure that the right support can be offered at the right time.

As well as helping attract and retain female staff in support of a diverse and inclusive workforce, the Menopause Friendly Accreditation is helping the three forces continue conversations within their male colleagues to encourage understanding, allyship and to provide them with support when their teams, friends and family members are affected.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation was established by Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace and is the only accreditation that sets clear, national standards that must be met. It is considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace said: “The positive impact that Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire police forces are making through being menopause friendly is fantastic to see and this accreditation is absolutely justified. Particularly heartening to know is that not only will the forces’ colleagues and their families benefit from having extra insight and support around menopause, but they can also cascade this empathy and understanding to their local communities and members of the public.”

To find out more about The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, visit www.menopausefriendly.co.uk

Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Menopause friendly accreditation for Specsavers

A MENOPAUSE in the Workplace accreditation has been awarded to Specsavers, recognising the healthcare retailer as a business which supports colleagues through effective and comprehensive training.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause in the workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), recognises high standard and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

In 2022, Specsavers launched MenoTalk; a colleague-led menopause community network which provides members with a safe space to discuss, listen and share their menopause experiences. The group has been pivotal in bringing the colleague training to life and regularly meet to share feedback to help build a menopause-friendly working environment.

 

MenoTalk group co-chairs, Louise Furby and Carolin Millken are proud of the achievement; ‘We set up our MenoTalk colleague group to give everyone affected by menopause a safe, confidential space where members can share experiences and get practical advice. Being awarded the Menopause in the Workplace accreditation is testament to the supportive environment this has created. We look forward to continuing to expand on the advice, support, and education throughout the business.’

The accreditation is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. As such, it is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

To achieve the certificate, employers are assessed by an independent panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities, and evaluation.

 

Deborah Garlick, founder and CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace says: ‘Specsavers has done exceptionally well to achieve the Menopause Friendly Accreditation and deserve credit for the success of its MenoTalk programme. We know that open discussions, supportive conversations and creating a psychologically safe environment are key to making lasting and meaningful change for colleagues. I have no doubt that Specsavers colleagues will feel the benefit of it being a menopause friendly employer and hope this positivity will cascade to its customer community as well.’

 

For more information please contact:  amy.obrien2@specsavers.com

Awards, Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Menopause Friendly Employer Awards names finalists

The industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards – powered by headline sponsors HSBC UK, first direct, M&S Bank and Peppy – has named the finalists ahead of the Awards ceremony on Thursday September 14, 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

The prestigious event will celebrate and recognise excellence among organisations and individuals going above and beyond to support menopause in the workplace. Hosted by broadcaster and menopause champion Louise Minchin, 350 guests will attend in person while hundreds more will join via live link from across the country.

Organised by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards comprise 11 categories that recognise organisations, teams and individuals who have successfully changed the lived experience of menopause in the workplace. As well as celebrating their achievements, the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards aims to raise £100,000 for a range of menopause-related charities, programmes and research.

“The standard of this year’s Awards entries has been phenomenal – employers have significantly raised the bar in terms of their creativity, innovative approach and, importantly, making a positive impact in their workplace,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace.

 

The Awards have attracted a wealth of menopause friendly members keen to sponsor the categories and tables. Taking their place alongside the headline sponsors are Accenture, BAE Systems, Boots and No7 Beauty Company, Bristol Myers Squibb, British Airways, Lloyds Banking Group, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Theramex and Vitabiotics.

 

“As the first organisation to be awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation we know first-hand the positive impact and the importance of being a menopause friendly workplace,” says Chris Pitt, CEO of first direct. “These awards are a great opportunity for people to learn from one another, with best practice tips being shared among guests to encourage an open dialogue and positive change.”

 

“We believe employers have a crucial role to play in breaking down the taboo and filling the gap in health and wellbeing care for those experiencing menopause,” says Kathy Abernethy, Chief Nursing Officer & Clinical Director Menopause Services, Peppy. “Raising the profile of businesses who have shown themselves to be real agents of change as these Awards set out to do, is an important part of encouraging and inspiring other businesses to recognise their role and join the movement to make a difference.”

 

The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards were judged by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel who were looking particularly for the impact achieved within the workplace. The finalists in each category follow below.

 

“The Independent Panel had a tough job selecting the finalists from such a strong field and judging went into a second day, such was the number of entries and exceptionally high quality of applications,” continues Deborah. “I would like to thank the Independent Panel for their expertise and passion and feel reassured that every finalist is deserving of their recognition.

“I would also like to thank all the employers and individuals for taking time to enter the Awards and extend my congratulations to all the finalists. There is no doubt that their remarkable work and dedication is changing hearts and minds to improve people’s lived experience of menopause in the workplace.”

 

Menopause Friendly Employer Awards 2023 – FINALISTS

 

Category 1 – Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year

BAE Systems

Bristol Myers Squibb

Cadent Gas

HSBC UK | first direct | M&S Bank

Marine Management Organisation

Thames Valley Police

Unilever UK & Ireland

 

Category 2 – Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer

BAE Systems

Colt Technology Services

HSBC UK | first direct | M&S Bank

Joined Up Care Derbyshire

Moody’s Corporation

 

Category 3 – Most Open Workplace

Aramark

Bristol Myers Squibb

Mott MacDonald

Santander

South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and South Yorkshire Integrated Care

Thames Valley Police

Category 4 – Best Engagement Campaign

BT

Colt Technology Services

Department for Education

Medical Protection Society

 

Category 5 – Most Menopause Friendly Environment

Independent Assessment Services (IAS) by Atos

Correla

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

QVC

 

Category 6 – Best Trained Workforce

BAE Systems

No7 Beauty Company

Bristol Myers Squibb

Holland & Barrett

University of Greenwich

 

Category 7 – Best Training Initiative

No7 Beauty Company

BT

Dentons

Department for Education

Experian

 

Category 8 – Best Support Group

Independent Assessment Services (IAS) by Atos

British Airways

BNP Paribas

Close Brothers Group Plc

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Lloyds Banking Group

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

WTW

 

Category 9 – Most Supportive Partner

Derby County Community Trust

Huddersfield Town Association Football Club

University of Greenwich

 

Category 10 – Community Award

Jill Ross – Accenture

Sarah Garton – Accenture

Maria Hathaway – Stonewater

Lisa Hogg – Independent Assessment Services (IAS) by Atos

Brigitte Kavani- NHS South Yorkshire ICB

Maureen Montague – University of Greenwich

Nancy Reeve – WTW

Paula Rix – Medical Protection Society

Marie-Anne Sandler – First Source

Gill Thomas – Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

Category 11 – The Carolyn Lazurus Award

To be announced on the night

 

 

To find out more visit: https://menopausefriendly.co.uk/awards/

Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Wellbeing at Work

Holland & Barrett Achieves Menopause Friendly Accreditation, Demonstrating Ongoing Commitment to Colleague Support

Holland & Barrett, the leading health and wellness retailer, is delighted to announce that it has been accredited as a Menopause Friendly Employer. This is the latest accreditation as H&B evolves its colleague support, creating a positive and inclusive working environment for all.

 The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. As such, it is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

Holland & Barrett’s colleagues have undergone extensive health training, which includes menopause education. Over 4,000 colleagues have received this training, and an eLearning module on menopause has been made available to all staff across the business. This initiative aims to educate and raise awareness about this important stage of life.

In order to achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

 

Maria Anderson, Chief People Officer at Holland & Barrett, commented, “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Menopause Friendly Accreditation. At Holland & Barrett, we believe in supporting our colleagues throughout all stages of their lives and menopause is no exception. We understand the impact that menopause can have on individuals, both physically and emotionally, and we are committed to providing the necessary support and resources to help our colleagues navigate this time with greater ease.”

 

To further support colleagues, Holland & Barrett has developed a comprehensive Guide to Menopause. This guide serves as a valuable resource, signposting internal support available to colleagues. It includes information on how to request extra uniform, access to portable desk fans and guidance on how to have a wellbeing conversation with their line manager. By providing these resources, Holland & Barrett aims to ensure that colleagues feel supported and empowered to manage their menopause symptoms effectively while at work.

In addition to the Guide to Menopause, Holland & Barrett offers a range of support services. Colleagues can book a free 15-minute consultation with a menopause health nurse, who can provide expert advice and guidance. Furthermore, the company has trained 50 mental health first aiders who are available to provide support and assistance. Colleagues can also access free counselling through Holland & Barrett’s 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, ensuring that they have access to help to maintain their mental wellbeing.

Holland & Barrett has supported its customers with access to menopause products and advice for over 50 years, and it is now also offering its highly trained colleagues to run free menopause information workshops in workplaces and at community groups across the UK. Fifteen colleagues who have the highest level of H&B’s accredited health and wellness training are equipped with additional training and resources so they can offer menopause talks free of charge – helping others to improve menopause awareness and education.

 

“Holland & Barrett has undertaken a huge amount of work in order to be accredited as a menopause friendly employer and I congratulate the whole team for its focus and dedication,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace.  “I also applaud the way that Holland & Barrett is actively cascading its knowledge and expertise to customers and the wider community. This is admirable and will no doubt help many other people speak up and seek help to manage their menopause symptoms.”

 

Healthcare, Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Wellbeing at Work

CNWL awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Uniting a team of over 8,000 people, CNWL offers more than 300 services providing integrated healthcare to a third of London’s population, Milton Keynes and beyond.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation established by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

In order to achieve accreditation, employers are assessed by an independent panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six areas: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

We are proud of this success, seeing it as an important commitment to every single person in our Trust with menopause education as part of our aim to build a more inclusive culture.

 

Laura Knight and Rebecca Dunkerley, Co-Chairs of CNWL’s Women’s Staff Network said:

“We’re really proud of this work highlighted by our staff and given a voice initially through the Women’s Network and 50plus groups. It’s often hard to talk about health and wellbeing issues at work, and we’ve heard in our forums the relief of having spaces to recognise this issue.

“It’s so important to not just talk, but to have permission, structures and education to move forward that this accreditation give us as at CNWL. Making it clear that we value all our staff throughout their careers at CNWL.”

 

Nick Green, Chief People Officer at CNWL said:

“The Menopause Friendly Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to supporting our staff’s health and wellbeing. Being a menopause friendly employer aligns with our Trust values, our ‘Wellbeing for Life’ vision and our NHS People Promise.

“We want our staff to be able to bring their whole self to work but realised that speaking openly about perimenopause and menopause had been far too infrequent.

“National workplace statistics show that many women were struggling on their own and were leaving jobs, reducing their hours or forgoing opportunities for promotion. If this is happening nationally it is likely to be happening at CNWL and we wanted to support our staff and be truly inclusive.”

 

There are three key areas that have generated the most impact in terms of both support and engagement, namely:

  • Introducing an internal menopause resource page for staff and managers
  • Implementing a Peer Support Group for staff
  • Occupational Health monitoring of menopause related referrals

 

Nick continues:

 

“We found that our staff were keen to speak up, share their lived experiences, engage fully and express what improvements and support they would like to see in their workplace. In addition, our menopause staff survey highlighted areas of strength and weakness, allowing us to bring about positive improvements across all levels of our organisation.”

 

Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace said:

“I’m greatly encouraged to hear CNWL talk about the importance of having a culture where employees can speak openly and share their experiences as this is a vitally important aspect of being menopause friendly. It is patently clear that the staff at CNWL feel supported, cared for and valued, knowing their concerns will be listened to, understood and acted upon.

 

Offering advice to other NHS trusts and employers looking to be menopause friendly, Nick says:

“Be sure to listen to the needs of your staff and never underestimate the benefits of collaboration. Through collaboration, we have worked hard at listening to and communicating with everyone to ensure true diversity and inclusivity and achieve goals set by our staff.”

 

Awards, Health, Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Wellbeing at Work

Medtronic awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Medtronic – the global healthcare technology organisation – has been awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation.  With a business goal of ‘alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life’, Medtronic boldly confronts the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.

Medtronic unites a global team of 95,000 people in a desire to provide innovative technologies which transform the lives of two people every second of every hour of every day.  Within the UK and Ireland it employs 1,234 people in its Watford and Dublin offices.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

In order to achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in these six key areas:  culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

Medtronic is proud of its success in achieving accreditation, seeing its commitment to menopause education as part of its aim to build a more inclusive culture.

“We wanted women to see Medtronic as a place for their career throughout all the stages of their life while also wanting men to feel included, and a part of our learning experience to allow them to support their partners, families and colleagues,” says Jacqui Godfrey, Women’s Health Team Member at Medtronic.

“Being menopause friendly has brought a very positive experience which is uniting our workforce: our work is ongoing as we continue to learn and to support in new ways,” adds Women’s Health Team Member Beverley Herrick. 

Three key menopause friendly actions of which Medtronic is most proud include:

  • Banishing the stigma around both menopause and other areas of women’s health
  • Creating a network where passionate and caring people learn together and support each other
  • Witnessing the growth from a few tiny voices asking for change into building a strong foundation for every single one of our current employees and benefitting employees who have yet to join us

“Looking at how we have grown together, we are especially proud of our community of champions who are always keeping the conversation going,” says Stephanie Barlow, Women’s Health Team Member.  “This is so important as colleagues are able to talk openly, and confident that they are not only being heard but actively being listened to.

“Going the one step further to gain Menopause Friendly Accreditation has been so worthwhile.  This commitment is the right thing to do all of our employees and is central to our overall wellness strategy at Medtronic,” says Samantha Hall from the Medtronic Senior Leadership Team.

Women’s Health Team Member Colin Simpson was eager to be part of the menopause project group as part of his role as the Disease State manager for Gynaecology for the UK and Ireland.  “I was having daily conversations regarding women’s health and what more we could do as a company to improve education, knowledge and access to treatments,” he says. “Menopause has long been a topic of importance and it was abundantly clear to me that we had to come together to support the women within Medtronic as much as we could with education and resources to help when it came to menopause and its associated symptoms.”

“The commitment to educate and support all their staff really shines through at Medtronic,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “The enthusiasm with which the organisation and workforce has embraced Menopause Friendly Accreditation clearly demonstrates how important this issue is and how much of a difference to people’s lives it is making.”

 

Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing at Work

Medical Protection Society proud to achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation

MPS serves and supports the healthcare professions, including looking after the physical health and emotional wellbeing of its members and people, most of whom are female. Committed to understanding the various factors which can negatively affect a woman’s wellbeing and ability to flourish at work, MPS recognised the need to talk openly about menopause and put the right support in place for those who need it.

MPS became a Menopause Friendly member in 2022 and embarked upon implementing operational and cultural changes to support its colleagues.

 

A wide range of interventions created and led by colleagues include:

  • Establishing a MenoChat group, which provides amazing peer-to-peer support and has been instrumental in helping people to manage the symptoms of menopause in a safe, friendly environment.
  • ‘Ask me anything’ sessions (run by in-house MPS medics) which have been significant in normalising the conversation.
  • The formation of a Menopause Network which seeks to understand the wider impacts on colleagues and the business, build awareness and smash taboos.
  • Training and supporting Menopause Advocates.
  • Conducting Menopause Awareness training for senior leaders, managers and colleagues.
  • Calling for more training, support and flexible working arrangements for doctors and dentists going through the menopause, to reduce the risk of a potential exodus of passionate and skilled clinicians from the workforce.
  • Providing free, confidential counselling for their members who are struggling with menopause symptoms at work.

 

“We’ve seen perceptions change and know people now feel confident to open up and talk about menopause with their peers and manager,” says Professor Dame Jane Dacre, MPS President. “We decided to apply for the Menopause Friendly Accreditation to show our members, colleagues and stakeholders that we take this very seriously as a long-term commitment and aren’t simply following the media trend or ticking a box,” she says.

 

High standards

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace. Employers are required to demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation. As such, the Menopause Friendly Accreditation is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

“Working with Henpicked and Menopause Friendly Accreditation has given MPS an excellent opportunity to learn best practice from, and benchmark ourselves against, other inclusive organisations,” says Lisa Davis, Executive Director of People and Culture at MPS.

 

Cultural change

“Our Menopause Network and monthly support groups have seen a high level of engagement in the topic – in team meetings, blogs and colleague forums,” continues Lisa. “Particularly good to see is that we have people from across the business, many of whom are not directly affected, asking what they can do to support their fellow colleagues, family members and friends.”

 

Being menopause friendly enriches an organisation’s culture and MPS believes an important first step is to assess where an organisation sits culturally and to what level people are aware of menopause and how the symptoms can add additional challenges to working.

 

“We have a diverse workforce spanning four continents,” says Jane. “We recognise menopause and the associated symptoms vary widely, and regional and cultural differences may further affect a woman’s experience.  Therefore, we took onboard feedback from our colleagues to ensure our support is fully inclusive and respectful of different views.

“One highlight for me was to learn from some colleagues that menopause is seen as a time to focus more on one’s spiritual and inner life and is something to be embraced. This refreshing and positive view is certainly one we share and encourage.”

 

To find out more about The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, visit www.menopausefriendly.co.uk

To find out more about MPS’s Supporting doctors through the menopause, click here.

 

About MPS

MPS works to protect the careers, reputations and financial security of doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals and organisations from the risks arising in delivering patient care. It has more than 300,000 members around the world, and has offices in the UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The majority of colleagues are based in Leeds, while others work in London, Ireland, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.