Financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown has received endometriosis-friendly employer accreditation as part of its aim to drive positive change for women and those assigned female at birth.
By signing up to the scheme, the firm has committed to review, update and implement policies to support those with endometriosis, provide managers with information and guidance to support staff, offer flexible working where possible, create an endometriosis champion, actively tackle stigma around it, raise awareness and offer readily available information and resources.
Hargreaves Lansdown has also committed to ensure that those with the disease can contribute to the organisation to the best of their ability and pursue the career of their choice.
Clare Stinton, workplace wellbeing specialist at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Endometriosis affects more people than you might think and the accreditation process has really helped raise awareness of this condition, the understanding of its impacts and the support we are able to offer. This colleague-led initiative is a great example of how employee networks can work with businesses to help improve working practices and are a core part of our wider inclusion and diversity strategy.”
Emma Cox, chief executive officer of Endometriosis UK, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Hargreaves Lansdown to the diverse range of organisations tackling taboos around menstrual health and endometriosis through the endometriosis-friendly employer scheme. By showing their employees they are valued and can expect support and reasonable adjustments to help those with endometriosis and menstrual conditions succeed at work, they will be increasing engagement across their workforce, ultimately making the organisation more successful.”
The accreditation is part of the firm’s wider inclusion and diversity strategy and commitment to its employees’ health and wellbeing. The foster-friendly employer also provides free menstrual products in all toilets, gender neutral toilets, a menstruation and menopause policy, menopause champions and training for managers, family-friendly leave and absence policies that include allowance for short notice childcare needs, wellbeing and feeding rooms, and gender diversity, wellbeing, chronic illness and LGBT+ Kaleidoscope networks.