With the new Employment Rights Bill rapidly progressing through parliament, and expected to be adopted in 2026, progressive employers are already taking action on menopause-friendly policies and practices.
Mansfield Building Society and global financial services group Nomura, for example, have both been just awarded Menopause Friendly Accreditation (photo above is of Nomura Wellbeing Director Kirsty McLean picking up award). In order to achieve this accreditation, both employers were assessed by an independent panel and had to demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in five key areas: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment.
The forthcoming Bill will require that all employers with over 250 employees put a ‘Menopause Action Plan’ in place to support menopausal women. It also orders employers to provide more time for women to seek legal advice if preparing a tribunal claim related to menopause.
Deborah Garlick, CEO and Founder of Henpicked, who is speaking about menopause and wider women’s health on a panel at the The Watercooler Event next week, said:
“The Employment Rights Bill is all about employers, not just having a plan, but requiring them to act on it to change the lived experience of menopause in the workplace. It’s simply not enough to have a policy – it’s about taking action and bringing change.”
Accreditation shows commitment to employee wellbeing
Commenting on the accreditation, John Goff, Global Head of Structuring and Exec Sponsor of the Gender Balance Network at Nomura, said:
“We want everyone in Nomura to feel valued, respected and empowered in the workplace, regardless of their stage of life. Given the impact menopause can have on people’s lives, both at work and at home, we believe it’s our responsibility to ensure everyone across our business feels comfortable and supported during this journey.”
Vickie Preston, Head of People at Mansfield Building Society, said the accreditation was an important step for the employer because it signalled to employees its commitment “to putting people first”.
Particularly proud work led by a male employee
She added that she was particularly proud that the building society’s menopause work had been led by a man, Learning and Development specialist Bob Crowe. This had led to employees wearing t-shirts saying ‘Be like Bob’ to raise awareness and spark conversations.
Preston said:
“Bob has been the heart and drive behind all we have achieved for menopause and we are very proud to have a man leading the charge and making a huge difference.”
The Menopause Friendly Accreditation was established by Henpicked in 2020 to certify high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.
Menopause centre stage at The Watercooler Event
Garlick, who will be talking about this topic further at The Watercooler Event next week, said:
“Mansfield Building Society understood from the start that education is at the heart of change. It is also incredibly heartening to see the driving force behind the whole initiative is a man as we know taking such a bold stance is a great way to break barriers and taboos. This immediately dispelled gender stereotypes and encouraged other male colleagues to enter the conversation and play their part in helping the organisation become menopause friendly.”
Key to Nomura and Mansfield’s commitment to menopause in the workplace have been actions like leadership training, real-life policies which include innovations such as paid leave instead of sick leave, menopause cafes to sustain awareness levels, on-site GPs with menopause training, and qualified nutritionists.
You can hear Deborah speak at The Watercooler Event, which takes place on 7th and 8th May 2025 at ExCeL in London, which is Europe’s leading trade show, with free-to-attend content, dedicated to creating workplaces that empower both people and business to thrive. She’s speaking on Day 1, as part of the Prevention, Intervention, Holistic & Inclusive Wellbeing stream on a panel about menopause and wider women’s health. Ruth Jackson, Chief People Officer at the Gym Group, is also speaking on this panel.
You can find out more and register to attend here.
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