Menopause Friendly Accreditation is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which have to be met before an employer can achieve this distinction. As a result, it is truly meaningful and considered by many as a kitemark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

Menopause Friendly Accreditation is distinctly different from simply signing a menopause pledge.  While clearly a good step in the right direction that shows a willingness to understand menopause in the workplace, a pledge doesn’t set any standards to be met and verified. Neither does it include any training or expert support. Thus, it can only really be considered a first step for employers seeking to be menopause friendly.

Steps to Menopause Friendly Accreditation

Employers must first become Menopause Friendly Members and commit to raising awareness, educating staff and engaging in training to support all colleagues. They must also be willing to make any necessary changes to change the lived experience for all those working through the menopause.

Menopause Friendly asks employers to ask their people two important questions at the outset:

1. What is getting in the way of you being at your best at work?
2. What can we do about it?

Menopause Friendly then works closely with employers to shape a menopause friendly policy and/or guidance document. No ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to having a successful menopause in the workplace policy: to become part of the culture, it must address the exact needs of those within the organisation.

Menopause Friendly also provides workshops, resources, events and communication materials to support employers.  All are specifically designed to help employers tailor their materials to meet their organisation’s needs, and put training, communication and engagement plans in place.  

Abundant resources

Menopause Friendly offers plenty of support to employers to help them implement changes and gather the evidence of their successful strategies that is needed to achieve Accreditation. The Menopause Friendly workbook includes the standards employers need to meet so they can understand exactly what the independent panel experts are looking for.

Abundant resources are split into four key areas: 

• communication and engagement
• policies and guidance
• case studies and top tips
• events and workshops.  

From posters that can be printed and displayed in the workplace to policy writing workshops and ideas on how to ensure all materials are fully inclusive, Menopause Friendly offers comprehensive support so that employers can start to make changes and see improvements from early on in their Menopause Friendly Accreditation journey.

Menopause Friendly Membership also enables employers to access resources to increase confidence amongst employees. The extensive support includes a comprehensive ‘best practice’ toolkits developed in conjunction with industry experts and employment lawyers.

Having created a truly menopause friendly workplace, employers can apply to Menopause Friendly for Menopause Friendly Accreditation.

Setting high standards

The benchmark standards for employers to achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation are set by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel.  This comprises leaders, trainers, communications experts, healthcare and industry professionals who are passionate about helping organisations to introduce the right menopause awareness, education and support.  They possess a vast pool of knowledge and experience relating to every aspect of menopause in the workplace.  They have supported many pioneering employers who have made such a positive difference for their colleagues.

Benefits along the way

Working towards Menopause Friendly Accreditation is very much a journey. Along the way, improvements will become apparent as awareness grows, changes are implemented and colleagues experience genuine support as they work through menopause.  These positive changes will culminate in changing the lived experience of menopause in the workplace leading employers to being recognised for their success and ready to apply for accreditation.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation process

When employers believe they’ve done all they need, they can apply for Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Application for accreditation is completed online where evidence is required in six key areas: 

• culture
• policies & practices
• training
• engagement
• facilities 
• evaluation. 

Independent Panel members then access this online area and provide their scoring and comments. At least three panel members will independently assess the application before coming together to review and compare their scores and comments.  Following this process, employers will either receive accreditation or be given clear recommendations on further action needed and invited for a meeting to help implement any improvements that are needed.  

Successful applications are rewarded with an official certificate and a listing on the Menopause Friendly website.  Sometimes, employers don’t achieve Accreditation the first time they apply: they are encouraged to work with the Menopause Friendly team to address any areas that need improvement before applying again.

Positive impact of Menopause Friendly Accreditation on the workforce

Working towards Menopause Friendly Accreditation will result in positive, long-term, sustainable change in the workplace.  Employers will foster an inclusive culture which allows and encourages all employees to be at their best. Such a culture will help employers retain talented people and recruit new colleagues who seek and share these values. Menopause Friendly organisations are places where people want to work.

Which employers have already gained Menopause Friendly Accreditation?

Menopause Friendly Accreditation has been awarded to a diverse range of businesses across a range of sectors from banks to football clubs, supermarket retailers to charities and tech businesses to construction companies. All these organisations show what good practice looks like. All are equally happy to share their experience, policies, plans and initiatives to help other employers achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation.

Join these inspirational employers and find out more about Menopause Friendly Accreditation.