Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Police forces have been accredited as menopause-friendly employers in recognition of their high standards and proven practices that embrace the condition in the workplace.
The accreditation was established by Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace and to achieve it, employers must provide evidence of menopause support in their culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.
The three forces have implemented menopause-friendly measures that include support groups, workplace adjustments, training, events and the publication of menopause policies and guidance for staff and managers. Volunteers have trained as menopause champions to provide compassionate, confidential advice to those who need it and further support is available via an employee assistance programme.
According to the forces, the accreditation will help to attract and retain female staff, continue conversations with male staff to encourage understanding and to provide support when teams, friends and family members are affected.
Cat Hemmings, BCH menopause lead, said: “The three forces are strongly committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work. Central to this is enabling everyone to bring their whole selves to work and ensuring they have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.
“Menopause is a life event that our policies, processes and procedures need to take account of. Whether directly experiencing the menopause, working alongside or managing someone who is, or engaging with a member of the public who may have symptoms, it is imperative that we provide support, raise awareness, dispel myths and normalise conversations. Achieving accreditation is testament to each force’s commitment and provides the foundation on which we will continue to build.”
Deborah Garlick, chief executive officer of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, added: “The positive impact that Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire police forces are making through being menopause-friendly is fantastic to see and this accreditation is absolutely justified. Particularly heartening to know is that not only will the forces’ [employees] and their families benefit from having extra insight and support around menopause, but they can also cascade this empathy and understanding to their local communities and members of the public.”