The leading industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards – powered by HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank – has revealed its finalists ahead of the live Awards ceremony on Thursday September 22, 2022 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, St Paul’s. The event will be hosted by broadcaster Louise Minchin: 180 guests will attend in person while 100s more will join via live link from across the country.

Organised by Menopause Friendly and supported by the CIPD, the inaugural Menopause Friendly Employer Awards attracted over 85 entries across 10 categories. Most notable was that the two categories with the highest number of applications were ‘Most Open Workplace’ and ‘Best Support Group’ demonstrating the commitment by employers to open conversations and normalise menopause in the workplace.

Alongside the headline sponsor HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank, the Awards are supported by BAESystems, Santander, Lloyds Banking Group, Boots, Peppy, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celerity, Theramex and Vitabiotics. 

“This event will be a chance to come together to recognise all the amazing work that people have done and continue to do”, says Chris Pitt, CEO of first direct. “We feel proud to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with such exemplary co-sponsors and fellow entrants to these Awards: I wish them all the best of luck. Whatever the outcome, everyone in the room and at the remote employer parties should be proud of the part they’re playing in improving perceptions and actions around menopause in the workplace.” 

“Not long ago, menopause was so clearly a taboo in the workplace,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace. “The response to our awards is both humbling and encouraging. Seeing the first-class businesses supporting the event and the wide array of entries from employers, large and small, just goes to show the progress being made.

“There is remarkable work being undertaken by many employers: business by business we are changing hearts and minds to make a difference to people’s lived experience of menopause in the workplace.”

The finalists in each category are as follows:

Category 1 – Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year

• Bristol Myers Squibb

• HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank

• Leicestershire County Council

Category 2 – Most Open Workplace

• Thames Valley Police

• WW

• Santander UK

• BAE Systems

• Ingeus

• HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank

Category 3 – Best Engagement Campaign

• Boots UK & Ireland, Boots Opticians and No 7 Beauty Company

• Thames Valley Police

• QVC UK

• Ingeus

Category 4 – Most Menopause Friendly Environment

• HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank

• Bristol Myers Squibb

• Nottingham University Hospital Trust

Category 5 – Best Trained Workforce

• Bristol Myers Squibb

• Leicestershire County Council

• WW

• HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank

Category 6 – Best Training Initiative

• Leicestershire County Council

• Bristol Myers Squibb

• BAE Systems

• Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care System

Category 7 – Best Support Group

• Aster Group

• Lloyds Banking Group

• Boots UK & Ireland, Boots Opticians and No 7 Beauty Company

• Alzheimer’s Society

• The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

• Santander UK

• Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)

Category 8 – Most Supportive Partner

• Santander UK

• Huddersfield Town Football Club

• HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank

Category 9 – Community Award

• Santander UK – Theresa Winters

• Experian – Kathy England

• QVC UK – Tracey Cuckson

• Cadent – Lucy Stuart

• HSBC Bank PLC – Sue Costello

• Leicestershire County Council – Mandy Baughurst

• Aster Group – Julie Cridland

Category 10 – The Carolyn Lazarus Award

• To be announced on the night

To find out more visit: https://membership.henpicked.net/awards/