Category Archives: Menopause

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.

Awards, HR, Menopause, Menopause at work

Menopause Friendly Employer Awards returns for second year

The industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards are returning for their second year on Thursday September 14, 2023. Organised by Menopause Friendly and powered by HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank, the awards evening will celebrate and reward excellence among organisations and individuals going above and beyond to support menopause in the workplace.

 Following its successful inaugural event last year, up to 750 people are expected to join the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards in person at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London and online via virtual parties being held across the country.

Broadcaster, author and menopause champion Louise Minchin will once again host the event.

“I’m honoured to be hosting the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards once again as last year’s event was so uplifting and positive,” says Louise. “The work being done around menopause in the workplace, the commitment we’re seeing from employers and the sheer energy in this space is a sight to behold. It’s a great idea to celebrate the achievements of employers, teams and individuals who are making such a difference and I look forward to meeting everyone on the night.”

 

Vital support

Supported by HR Magazine, the Awards have attracted a wealth of menopause friendly employers keen to sponsor the categories and tables. Taking their place alongside headline sponsor HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank, are Accenture, BAE Systems, Boots and No7, Bristol Myers Squibb, British Airways, Lloyds Banking Group, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Theramex and Vitabiotics. Further sponsors will be announced in the coming weeks.

Their sponsorship is vital to help the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards achieve its aim of making a real difference to other people’s lives by donating its profits to a range of menopause-related charities, programmes and research.  Last year £75,000 went to good causes and this year’s bigger event will look to exceed that.

“We didn’t hesitate to sign up again to be the headline sponsor of the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards,” says Chris Pitt, CEO of first direct. “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. 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.”

 

12 Awards  – including two new categories

Open to all Menopause Friendly Member organisations and their employees, the Awards will be judged by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel against a set of clearly defined criteria.

Shining a light on those going above and beyond in their quest to be menopause friendly, there are 12 Awards – including two new categories for 2023:

 

  • Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year
  • Best Small Menopause Friendly Organisation – new this year
  • Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Campaign – new this year
  • Most Open Workplace
  • Best Trained Workforce
  • Community Award
  • Best Engagement Campaign
  • Most Menopause Friendly Environment
  • Best Training Initiative
  • Best Support Group
  • Most Supportive Partner
  • The Carolyn Lazarus Award

 

Timeline for entries and announcements

  • Entries Open – May 22, 2023
  • Entries Close – July 21, 2023
  • Shortlist announced – August 14, 2023
  • Winners revealed – September 14, 2023

 

“The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards evening is more than just a celebration of success: it’s a coming together of like-minded employers who are changing and improving the perception and reality of menopause in the workplace,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace. “Meanwhile, the funds raised on the night will help accelerate change around menopause in our wider communities, safeguarding a better future for generations to come.”

 

 To find out more and to enter the Awards visit: https://menopausefriendly.co.uk/awards/

 

Awards, Menopause, Menopause at work, Wellbeing at Work

Cadent awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Cadent – the UK’s largest gas distribution network – has been awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation. With a goal of ‘keeping people warm while protecting the planet’, Cadent transports gas to more than 11 million homes and businesses and employs over 6,500 people within its operational centre in Coventry and across its 80 depots throughout the country.

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 six key areas:  culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

“We are delighted to be the first gas distribution company to become accredited as menopause friendly,” says Lucy Stuart, Head of Risk & Assurance and Menopause lead at Cadent. “As a sector that is generally male dominated, it is important for Cadent to have equity in our workplace. By becoming Menopause Friendly, we are giving our menopausal and perimenopausal colleagues the chance to be their most comfortable and confident selves at work. It is a huge opportunity to support all colleagues, including those who aren’t going through, or never will go through, menopause, to become comfortable talking about it.  By doing so, they will gain the confidence to support the people around them who are experiencing menopause.”

Cadent cites three key areas of the menopause friendly practices that have generated the most impact in terms of both support and engagement:

  • A monthly support group that empowers women to own their menopause and feel confident when they need to discuss their symptoms with their GP.
  • Being open and talking about menopause has normalised the topic which, until recently, had been somewhat taboo. This is helping to change the lives of colleagues and their families.
  • A bespoke Menopause Policy and Guidebook which supports all colleagues. Not only does this help the person experiencing menopause but also their Line Managers to feel confident when talking to them. Added to this, over 70 per cent of its managers have completed the ‘Menopause eLearning for Managers’ module.

“The progress made with raising awareness and normalising conversations about menopause over the past 12 months has been remarkable,” adds Diane Bennett, General Counsel at Cadent. “This is best exemplified by the discussions about menopause which occurred with Board members at our ED&I focused meet and greet session in January. We also saw male colleagues talking confidently and with clear understanding, sharing conversations they had held with female family members as a result of our Menopause Friendly initiatives.”

In offering her congratulations to Cadent on achieving The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, says, “The Independent Panel was so impressed to see what Cadent had done. The business has recognised the value of open conversations to include everybody, acknowledging that menopause awareness and support is essential for all.  For employers and their workforce, it is not solely about how menopause symptoms affect people in the workplace, but also at home and with their friends and families. Cadent’s approach and determination offer insight, confidence and support to all.”

Cadent chose to take being Menopause Friendly a step further by applying for the accreditation. “The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is an ongoing commitment to our colleagues, assuring support for those who will face menopause, directly or indirectly, in the years ahead. We are future-proofing Cadent to ensure it is a caring and supportive employer,” explains Lucy.

Find out more at www.menoapausefriendly.co.uk

Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Allied Irish Bank leading the way – hosting free menopause friendly employer workshop – May 2, 2023

Allied Irish Bank (AIB) is leading from the front by hosting a free Menopause Friendly Employer workshop for businesses local to Dublin on Tuesday May 2, 2023 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Chaired by Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace and founder of the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Accreditation, the workshop aims to help organisations develop a menopause friendly strategy and policy to change the lived experience of menopause in the workplace.


With 10% of women leaving their job or passing up promotion because of menopausal symptoms, being menopause friendly can help businesses avoid losing top talent, not to mention ensuring first-rate care and support for all their staff.

Perceptions around menopause in the workplace are starting to change with around three in 10 employers now having a menopause friendly policy. Deborah actively engages Menopause Friendly employer members to share best practice and support other employers to help fast-track the creation and implementation of successful menopause friendly strategies.

“We know that employers starting out on their menopause friendly journey gain a great deal from hearing how other organisations have succeeded in this area,” says Deborah. “AI B was quick to offer to run an event to help other businesses in the Dublin area and I would like to thank them for hosting this free workshop.

“At AIB our aim is to help end the stigma that still exists when talking about menopause in the workplace” says Denis Doolan, AIB’s Strategic Head of Culture, Inclusion & Diversity.  “We want to continue to promote and open up the conversation about menopause, to raise awareness about the symptoms and help support the women in our lives, be they colleagues, partners, family or friends.  The Menopause Friendly Employer Roadshow from Henpicked is a welcome initiative and we are delighted to host this event.”

“Being a menopause friendly employer means going further than simply having a guidance document on file,” continues Deborah. “To truly change the lived experience of menopause in the workplace, employers must have bespoke policies for their organisation and ensure best practice and support are actively implemented.”

Roadmap to success

Whether organisations are starting from scratch or have already begun their journey to being a menopause friendly employer, this practical, face-to-face workshop event will provide a roadmap for success with the following agenda delivered by expert speakers:

 

  • Why menopause in the workplace is important: the compelling case for change
  • What menopause is and how someone could be affected at work
  • How menopause is covered by employment law: what employers need to consider
  • Employer case study – insight and impact
  • Time for networking and Q&As

 

 

Booking a place

This event is free, but booking is essential here Developing a ‘Menopause Friendly’ strategy Tickets, Tue 2 May 2023 at 12:30 | Eventbrite

 

Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Transport

Southeastern recognised as menopause friendly

Southeastern has become the first transport company to become an independently accredited Menopause Friendly Employer.

Established by industry experts Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met, recognising proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

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.

 

Maureen Dominey, Chair of the Women’s Network Group at Southeastern, said: “We first launched our menopause policy in 2019 so we’re delighted to now be independently accredited for our efforts, especially as we work in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“We have more than 500 female employees aged 40 or above but it’s important to remember that it’s not just women that the menopause affects, it’s everyone around them as well. The e-learning training that’s available to all our line managers is an incredibly useful tool to help raise awareness and gives our managers the confidence to have the conversation. When we first started talking about the menopause, some people were uncomfortable but that’s no longer the case – it was important to remove that taboo.”

 

Mark Johnson, Engineering Director and the executive sponsor for Southeastern’s Women in Rail Empowerment group (WIRE), added: “Gaining this accreditation means a lot to us and our staff, as the accreditation process encouraged us to involve all areas of the business including frontline and office-based colleagues. We covered everything from talking to station teams and senior managers to attending health fairs across the business and marking national events.”

 

The independent judging panel recognised Southeastern for the thoroughness of its work and evidence of its success including:

  • A suite of guidance documents available on Southeastern’s intranet, written with the support of Henpicked, which provides a solid foundation for colleagues and managers to refer to if they don’t feel confident to discuss their issues in person.
  • Menopause Matters drop-in sessions that provide a safe space for all, where people can share, learn and know that they are not alone in navigating the menopause journey, whether in person or indirectly through a partner, friend or colleague.
  • A holistic approach of combined actions that brought the conversation into the open, resulting in an increase in colleagues reaching out to Southeastern’s WIRE group, asking for support.
  • Clear support structures for managers enabling them to help members of their team.

 

Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace, commented: “Southeastern is to be applauded for its commitment and has clearly made a difference by talking openly about menopause and normalising the conversation. Southeastern had to find a strategy that would embrace all its staff, whether they are working at head office, in the depots, at the stations or on the trains. That is no small undertaking but by shaping a bespoke policy and speaking to colleagues across all areas of the organisation, they were inclusive of everyone’s needs.”

 

Deborah Thomas, 57, is a Health and Wellbeing Promotions Manager at Southeastern. She has been through the menopause twice, having initially been diagnosed with early menopause when she was 38.

She said: “The change in policy in 2019 really opened the floodgates for people to have those conversations that would have been considered impossible just a few years before – it was an essential thing that needed to happen. Now managers are much more aware of what some women are going through which allows them to be more supportive and make adjustments accordingly.

“For example, women’s uniforms have been altered to help them cope with hot flushes and others – myself included – have been allowed to change our working patterns. Usually, my day starts at 6am as I don’t sleep well, although obviously when I’m attending events that does change a little. Having an understanding employer and a workplace where menopause is openly discussed can make all the difference to how you’re able to cope with the symptoms.”

 

For more information on The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, visit www.menopausefriendly.co.uk.

Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Chwarae Teg leads the way with first menopause accreditation in Wales

Gender equality charity Chwarae Teg has become the first organisation in Wales to be awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, for its commitment to providing menopause support to its staff.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, reflects the wide-ranging resources, support and knowledge sharing that Chwarae Teg provides within the organisation.

The charity has rolled out a number of active measures including monthly lunchtime ‘online menopause cafes’ to increase awareness and share information. Alongside this, its Intranet has a dedicated area for news, information and sharing personal experiences, plus there is a Teams channel where staff are encouraged to give tips and ask questions.

They also had staff who volunteered to undertake training as Menopause Champions to ensure that those experiencing menopause symptoms felt confident to discuss them and fully supported. As well as this, there was training for line managers to provide the best guidance for staff.

This is backed up by the document ‘Menopause: A Support Guide for Everyone’, created by Chwarae Teg, which provides a vital resource of information about the menopause including details on symptoms and how to ask for support and reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

All information relating to Menopause Champions, the menopause guidance document and the resources are now shared as part of Chwarae Teg’s HR induction for new employees.

 

Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked – Menopause in the Workplace, said: “A huge congratulations to Chwarae Teg on becoming Wales’ first accredited Menopause Friendly Employer. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to achieve this industry-recognised and independently accredited status. Our Independent Panel thought Chwarae Teg’s application was excellent, it went above and beyond and gave insightful comments from staff who have clearly benefited from the knowledge and support the organisation provides.”

 

Cheryl Royall, Career Development Partner who has led Chwarae Teg’s work towards The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, said: “I am incredibly proud of our achievement and the work we have done to accomplish our aim of being recognised and accredited as a menopause friendly employer. The fact that we are the first organisation in Wales to do so, makes the news extra special. It has been a real team effort and I am delighted that it has resulted in our application exceeding expectations for an accreditation. That’s incredibly meaningful and really reflects the work we do inside and outside the organisation.

 

“Normalising the discussion around menopause in workplaces is essential and I’d encourage all employers to do the same. Small changes can make a big difference, like providing desk fans when needed and removing unnecessary dress codes so that colleagues are able to wear whatever clothing is comfortable for them.

“Chwarae Teg’s mission is rooted in celebrating and fighting for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Wales. As such, working towards The Menopause Friendly Accreditation has further supported us as an organisation to continue to create an equitable workplace for all our staff.”

—

See more about The Menopause Friendly Accreditation at www.menopausefriendly.co.uk

Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Sport

West Ham United Awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation

West Ham United has become the first Premier League Club to receive The Menopause Friendly Accreditation (MFA) in recognition of its high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

The Menopause Friendly 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 prominent mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation showcases West Ham United’s specific commitment to promoting awareness, understanding and support of menopause, while reinforcing the Club’s ambition to be an equity leader within the football industry. In 2021, West Ham United was awarded the Advanced level of the Premier League’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS) – the highest level which can be achieved – for its unwavering commitment to continual progress in this area.

Employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must show evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation. West Ham United received The Menopause Friendly Accreditation after demonstrating a wide range of measures to support its workforce, where one in 10 of its female staff is of menopause age.

The West Ham United Senior Leadership Team is 50% female and led by Vice-Chairman Karren Brady. Key to its menopause friendly practices are workplace adjustments enabling people to work through the menopause. The Club carries out regular menopause awareness training for staff and managers and works with external services to provide financial awareness training on areas including pensions and menopause. It also has an internal support group for staff experiencing menopause, alongside strong allyship among male staff.

In addition to a standalone menopause policy, West Ham United has a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service that specifically highlights menopause and mental health.

West Ham United is committed to an inclusive workforce and the Club’s commitment to gender equality is far reaching. The most recently published annual Gender Pay Report last year showed that the mean gender pay gap, when male first-team players, management and coaches were removed, was -18.31% – and for the sixth consecutive year running, was in favour of women. This figure was more favourable than the then national pay gap at 15.4%.

Furthermore, the Club is also proud to sponsor Back 2 Businesship, a returners programme that up-skills, builds confidence and coaches the return of top talent into the workplace after a family / caring career break, via a six-day face-to-face bootcamp over two weeks, featuring 25 interactive sessions presented by experts in their field. The programme is focused on enabling experienced returners, predominantly women, to get back to work and into jobs, as well as updating their skills and knowledge to reboot their careers.

Speaking on receipt of The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: “It is wonderful that West Ham United has been named as the first Premier League Club to receive The Menopause Friendly Accreditation and on behalf of everyone at the Club I would like to say how proud we all are.

“It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to our staff and the emphasis we place on creating a positive working environment that allows people to flourish and reach their full potential – supporting and embracing their individual circumstances and needs.

“We have a key objective to be an equity leader in the Premier League and a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of the Club – a commitment that has been recognised through the award of the Advanced level of the Premier League’s Equality Standard.

“We work hard to ensure there are no barriers to working at West Ham United and our ethos is centered around enabling employees to bring their whole self to work, providing everyone here with the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“As well as helping attract and retain some of the very best female staff, our approach to achieving The Menopause Friendly Accreditation will help to raise awareness within our male workforce and encourage allyship to further support colleagues, friends and family.”

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

Menopause, Menopause at work, News

Alzheimer’s Society achieves The Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Alzheimer’s Society – the UK’s leading dementia charity – has achieved The Menopause Friendly Accreditation in recognition of its high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace. The charity is the first organisation in 2023 to be awarded this distinction, following a robust assessment of its practices by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel.

The Menopause Friendly 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 kitemark of excellence for menopause in the workplace. Menopause Friendly employers seeking accreditation must show evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas:

  • Culture
  • Policies & practices
  • Training
  • Engagement
  • Facilities
  • Evaluation

“It’s fantastic to hear that Alzheimer’s Society has become a fully accredited menopause-friendly organisation,” says Corinne Mills, Director of People at Alzheimer’s Society. “With one in four people experiencing serious menopause symptoms across society, it’s so important that our workplace is a friendly, supportive and understanding environment. Our Menopause Matters network is a safe space for staff to share resources, talk openly about their experiences and host guest speakers. In the 14 months since we established this network, we’ve seen 170 new members – that’s 10% of our workforce. We are so proud to have gained The Menopause Friendly Accreditation and to have our efforts recognised by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel.”

Outstanding application

Alzheimer’s Society provides information, support, care and research funding to create lasting change for people affected by dementia. As well as its own workforce, the charity holds in mind the fact that many of its partners, consumers and the wider community may be affected by menopause. Its understanding not just of the demographic of its workforce but the knock-on benefits to customers by being menopause friendly, was praised by the Independent Panel.

Other stand out features of its application that deserve special mention are:

  • Its clear commitment to being menopause friendly at all levels of the senior management team, notably the CEO and HR Director
  • Its culture of embedding menopause into its overall wellbeing, equality and diversity communications and initiatives
  • The excellent way its policies are brought to life and openly discussed
  • Its cohesive training plan
  • The clever way in which it weaves menopause into other long term conditions that rely on open and trusting conversation
  • The success of its strategy to use its menopause friendly status to attract and recruit new employees who perceive this as a real asset to the organisation.

“We’re delighted to see Alzheimer’s Society achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation,” says Helen Normoyle, Independent Panel member, Menopause Friendly Accreditation.  “Theirs was an excellent application and clearly demonstrated the difference they’ve made for their colleagues. There is a culture of being open and inclusive and it’s great to see menopause embedded within their workplace – both for colleagues and volunteers. Their menopause policy gives excellent suggestions for realistic workplace adjustments and support and they use a range of training and engagement methods to keep the education and awareness flowing. Quite simply, Alzheimer’s Society is an excellent example of a menopause friendly employer. Well done to all involved!”

To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society visit www.alzheimers.org.uk

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