The Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP and Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, is calling on 50% of British businesses to take action to have a menopause policy in place. Going a step further than simply having guidance documents on file, the right policies, practices and support are needed to bring lasting change.

“As we approach World Menopause Day on October 18, 2022, the CIPD estimates around 30% of UK businesses have a menopause policy in place,” says the Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP.  “That’s good news and a definite step in the right direction, but with growing awareness of the benefits of having such a policy and wide acceptance this is the right thing to do, we want to see this number double by the time we reach World Menopause Day on October 18, 2023.

“This should be achievable,” says Caroline. “If every business which currently has a menopause policy in place encourages at least one other business in their network to do the same, we would reach the 50% target.”

Businesses large and small are stepping up to be menopause friendly according to Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace who has been helping organisations develop and implement menopause polices for over six years. In addition, she runs training sessions, webinars and support programmes alongside sharing resources and best practice among her growing Menopause Friendly Accreditation membership.

“The mood around menopause in the workplace has shifted dramatically in the last 18 months and we are seeing some excellent work being done,” says Deborah. “There is much to applaud and celebrate as demonstrated by our inaugural industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards on September 22^nd. We can see from our finalists how menopause in the workplace is being welcomed far and wide – from big banks to charities and large retail groups to local councils. We’ve come a long way, but there are plenty more organisations who need to come up to speed on the effective management of menopause in the workplace.”

Women experiencing the menopause are now the fastest growing workforce demographic: with 3.5 million aged 50 to 65 currently in the workplace. Many are at the peak of their careers and contributing valuable skills and unmatched experience to their workplace. However, businesses risk losing them through lack of support with recent figures showing 1 in 10 have left their jobs, according to People Management because of the menopause.

“Women born in the 60s and 70s are simply not prepared to accept discrimination of any sort and will vote with their feet if they feel their employer isn’t supporting them to work through menopause,” says Caroline.  “Every day I’m asked what employers can do to make things better for their employees. The fact is, it isn’t difficult to write and implement a menopause policy and simply by raising awareness, putting training in place and making a few low-cost changes to the working environment, employers can become menopause friendly.”

Getting started

Organisations can make a start by joining the Menopause Friendly membership to immediately receive resources, guidance, training and support.  From there, those what wish, can work towards achieving Menopause Friendly Accreditation which is increasingly being seen as the kitemark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.