82% of employers introduced support for World Menopause Day

World Menopause Day supportEmployee Benefits poll: 82% of organisations introduced support or initiatives to mark World Menopause Day (18 October), according to a survey of Employee Benefits readers.

Employers responded that they had implemented other types of support or initiatives to commemorate World Menopause Day, such as a dedicated menopause policy and an employee network (14.2%), and partnered with a provider to offer support (18%).

One in 10 (11%) said they became a menopause-friendly employer, received related accreditation and raised awareness through workshops and talks, while 5.3% named a menopause champion.

Meanwhile, 8% introduced another kind of support and 18% did nothing.

Earlier this month, Employee Benefits reported that marketing consultancy Wunderman Thompson UK introduced an employee support package to raise awareness and start conversations around menopause in the workplace. Through a partnership with women’s support platform The Latte Lounge, the employer will provide support information and signpost to resources for all women’s perimenopause, menopause, and health and wellbeing needs.

It will also run events and manager training within the workplace to educate, open up conversations and provide resources to employees who are experiencing symptoms, and expand available peer-to-peer support for menopause symptoms through its mentoring platform Magpie.

Paula Joannou, chief people officer at Wunderman Thompson UK, said: “The menopause is a natural part of life, but for too many women it can prove a barrier at work. With the right support, women don’t need to struggle through. The Latte Lounge will help us build on our existing support package to create a culture of talking openly about the menopause at work, making sure that we’re helping those women experiencing symptoms, but also empowering their colleagues and managers to support them through as well.”