We’re delighted to announce that we have been nationally recognised for our dedication and commitment to improving our employee's experience of menopause in the workplace.
Not only have we achieved Menopause Friendly Employer Accreditation, but we’ve also been a finalist at the Henpicked Menopause Friendly Employer Awards and shortlisted for a further two prestigious awards - all reflecting our outstanding work and contribution to raising awareness of menopause across the organisation.
As an employer of over one thousand women aged 45-60 years, the most common age range for menopause, we’ve worked hard over the last few years to improve our systems, processes, and the support we offer women experiencing menopause-related symptoms or employees working with colleagues going through it.
Following a review of our excellent progress, we joined forces with NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and South Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS) to be part of the Mission Menopause Project. We were the only council amongst 14 health and social care partner organisations across South Yorkshire who came together to share learning and best practice on changing the culture around menopause in the workplace.
Through this ground-breaking work, we were thrilled to achieve Menopause Friendly Employer accreditation, which is an opportunity for employers to demonstrate the action taken so far and their commitment to continue improving the support, practical arrangements and information they provide their employees about menopause.
The Mission Menopause Project has also been shortlisted for two further prestigious awards including the Staff Wellbeing category for the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards and the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Excellence in People Awards. This really is icing on the cake and demonstrates our ongoing drive to make menopause matter across the organisation.
Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Core Services, said: “I am thrilled to hear that we have been awarded Menopause Friendly Employer accreditation - it really does demonstrate the commitment and hard work we’ve undertaken, along with our partner organisations, in breaking the taboo of menopause in the workplace across South Yorkshire.
“It’s an opportunity to showcase the work we’ve done so far, and shape plans to continue improving. So far, we’ve developed a dedicated online course, ‘Menopause Matters’, which we encourage all employees to undertake, including managers, younger employees, and men. We want all employees to understand how menopause may be affecting their colleagues and how they can be supported. We also host regular menopause cafes where employees can pop along, listen to a guest speaker, and share experiences. Another successful initiative is our active Teams Menopause Peer Support group which is continuing to grow as more employees seek support or wish to find out more.
“Our greatest asset is our employees who deliver the valuable services our residents need, so it’s crucial that we focus on their health and wellbeing. We’re striving to fully ingrain menopause support and openness within our culture, break down barriers and make it everyone’s business – a place where our employees feel supported and informed to support one another. A big well done to everyone involved, including our employees accessing the support.”
