Through its menopause-friendly accreditation, RSA Insurance Group aims to ensure its employees get the correct support when needed.
The organisation employs 4,500 members of staff across its UK and Ireland sites. It launched a menopause campaign in August 2021, which involved gaining visible leadership support by way of pledges and the roll out of an action plan. The plan comprised monthly leader training sessions, monthly support cafes, and the introduction of a menopause hub that contained useful information for employees. Initiatives such as these are looked favourably upon by the Menopause Friendly Association, which awards the menopause-friendly accreditation.
The group ensured its support met the qualifying standards and practices to achieve the accreditation by establishing a range of benefits to suit its whole workforce, explains Helen Simpson, total talent delivery lead at RSA. “We introduced regular lunch and learns with guest speakers, pre-recorded webinars provided by the Menopause Friendly Association, guidance for leaders and employees, union support, a review of facilities, and reasonable adjustments,” she says. ”We demonstrated these activities for a period of 12 months at the time that we were ready to apply for the accreditation.”
RSA believes its employees value the support that is provided, as well as the accreditation, because it has led to a feeling of belonging among them. Staff now feel comfortable sharing often debilitating symptoms and have found comfort when they realise they are not alone with their experiences. This has taken place during the group’s support cafes, which provide a forum for people to connect with others who are experiencing the condition and share top tips, such as how to approach a GP and relief for a particular symptom.
While it is not straightforward to measure whether RSA’s menopause initiatives directly influence the recruitment of new staff, the feedback it receives from employees highlights their positive impact, says Simpson.
“Many employees express that these efforts create a more inclusive and supportive environment, saying that they are more engaged with RSA because they feel comfortable to share their menopause experiences with the network group and, very importantly, with their leader to ensure they get the correct support,” she adds.