Glasgow Clyde College has received menopause-friendly accreditation as part of its commitment to support employee wellbeing during a significant life transition.
The accreditation, which is awarded by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, recognises high standards and proven practices of menopause in the workplace. In order to achieve this, employers must demonstrate evidence of effectiveness in culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.
Glasgow Clyde College’s menopause-friendly team worked on various changes to support staff experiencing the condition. These include providing menopause training for all managers to boost awareness of signs and symptoms to encourage open and supportive discussions with employees, and establishing a monthly menopause forum where staff can chat freely and ask questions of others experiencing or affected by the menopause.
It also created a more open and honest culture to help normalise the condition as just another stage in life, by showcasing stories and experiences of staff who are thriving during and after the menopause.
As more than 60% of its staff are women, with 50% of those over the age of 50, the college wanted to support and retain its talent and the experience they bring. It believes accreditation will help it continue to foster an inclusive culture and promote employee wellbeing.
Lorraine McGaw, assistant principal: human resources at Glasgow Clyde College, said: “Going through menopause can be a really challenging experience for many women, and it’s important that employers recognise this, raise awareness amongst colleagues and and offer support where possible.
“Being a menopause-friendly employer means that we provide a welcoming working environment that allows women to bring their best selves to work. By actively supporting staff, listening to feedback, investing in training and putting practices in place that normalise menopause, we’ve created an open and honest culture where staff feel empowered and valued. It has very much been a team effort, and to be recognised with this accreditation is fantastic.”