More and more employers are recognising that it makes sense to formalise their support of menopause in the workplace by achieving Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Since its launch in 2021, over 500 employers have joined Menopause Friendly Membership – working towards The Menopause Friendly Accreditation including. The most recent to achieve accreditation is Sheffield Mind.
More than a tick box
Sheffield Mind believes that supporting colleagues during menopause gives them the best opportunity to continue their excellent and important work. In addition, by understanding more about menopause, its staff can bring their learning and empathy to many of the people they help every day.
The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.
To achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, Sheffield Mind was assessed by an Independent Panel and had to demonstrate evidence of its effectiveness in five key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment.
Open and constructive conversations
Sheffield Mind took its menopause friendly journey, and the challenges it brought, very seriously. The stigma which had been associated with menopause has been addressed, paving the way for open and constructive conversations which seek to involve everyone. This has resulted in many changes within the workplace, ranging from the presence of hygiene baskets in the toilet areas to a dedicated wellbeing room. Everything that has been undertaken has been done through close consultation with colleagues ensuring the right kind of support is being offered.
“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the journey to menopause-friendly accreditation,” continues Margaret. “It’s been hard work, but we all got behind it and everyone played their part with enthusiasm – contributing ideas, delivering training, having conversations, writing blogs for our website and sitting on the working group. The process has brought us together as an organisation, which is great for staff morale.”
It’s not just about women
Menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce and according to the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, almost eight out of 10 of menopausal women are in work. Sheffield Mind recognises that a stable and happy workforce is a productive workforce and believes that supporting staff through their menopause is not only the right thing to do, but also makes economic sense.
“What particularly impressed the independent panel was the engagement of the workforce at Sheffield Mind along every step of their journey to accreditation,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “Having a Menopause Friendly working group that consists of all genders and ages is a real eye opener in terms of the willingness and readiness for the conversation to start. It was a very bold step to adopt this approach from the outset: Sheffield Mind deserves recognition for this stance and the positive impact it has had on the wellbeing of its workforce.”
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