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The Menopause Friendly Accreditation Turns Two! The Menopause Friendly Accreditation turns two on April 2, 2023 and, in the time-honoured fashion of celebrating birthdays of youngsters, we want to celebrate with our friends, marvel at how much we’re grown and show how much we’ve learned. The Menopause Friendly Accreditation recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace. The industry-recognised mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace, it is the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. As such, it is truly meaningful and something of which to be proud. Since launching The Menopause Friendly Accreditation in April 2021, 46 employers ranging from charities to city banks, football clubs to FTSE100 companies and NHS Trusts to high street retailers are proudly displaying this badge, proving they are menopause friendly. Hard won – but worth it! Currently, HOW MANY employers are actively working towards The Menopause Friendly Accreditation with new Menopause Friendly employers signing up each week to take that extra step to show their commitment. 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. It’s not easy to achieve – and some employers need more than one attempt at it – but it’s worth it in the end. Why? Employers value The Menopause Friendly Accreditation because, having achieved this standard, they know they've had to work for it. They’ve had to demonstrate and prove they are menopause friendly and this gives them confidence. Furthermore, employers tell us that having achieved the accreditation, they don’t stop there. The changes in policy and practice inspire greater action and further improvements. Proud to display the badge The primary aim of The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is to support colleagues working through menopause. However, the badge also sends a clear message to clients, customers and the wider community that they are a menopause friendly workplace. Such care of colleagues says a lot about a business…. Indeed, organisations welcome the fact their Menopause Friendly Accreditation tells the outside world that they are menopause friendly. It helps in their wider relationships and encourages people to work for them. Having The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is a major differentiating factor when looking to retain and recruit women: it sets employers apart. The ‘friend’ in menopause friendly Before working towards The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, organisations must be Menopause Friendly Members. A growing community of over 400 employers of all shapes and sizes, the membership brings great support, strength and solidarity. Members happily share their experience, polices and best practice with each other, including their competitors! The passion and commitment for being menopause friendly sits outside the usual business parameters: here is an issue that employers are keen and proud to share with each other. Having found solutions and success, they want to help others achieve the same. The growing community of businesses is one of the best things to emerge from The Menopause Friendly Accreditation. If a member is facing a problem or challenge, someone else in the membership who has encountered and solved it, will step in to help. We’ve had members share policies to save others the time creating one from scratch. Organisations have hosted training sessions for other businesses: we have even seen organisations who are technically competitors come together on this topic as their shared purpose in finding solutions to managing menopause in their specific industry is a such a strong, driving factor. The icing on the cake It's easy to say you’re menopause friendly but harder to SHOW this. The Menopause Friendly Accreditation says it all for you! As we celebrate our second birthday, we like to think of it as the icing on the cake. To start your journey to achieving The Menopause Friendly Accreditation contact WHO

by Deborah Garlick

How being menopause friendly helps employers save money!

There are lots of reasons to be menopause friendly. Recruiting and retaining top talent are among these AND saves employers money!

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