Lancashire County Council has been awarded menopause-friendly accreditation from Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace.
The menopause-friendly accreditation recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace. Employers must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment to achieve accreditation.
The council was recognised due to menopause-friendly initiatives that it introduced, such as comprehensive training that includes senior leader webinars, employee awareness training, separate training for managers, e-learning utilising staff experiences, as well as yoga, nutrition and sleep sessions from a local partner college.
It also implemented monthly lunch-and-learn sessions to enable staff to find out ways to support their menopause journey and learn from others, a comprehensive guide and bespoke policy, and a peer support network.
The accreditation is part of the council’s focus on creating a culture where menopause is recognised to potentially impact both mental and physical wellbeing, and where every experience is respected and valued.
Lucy Thompson, director of people at Lancashire County Council, said: “We are proud to have created a workplace environment where every staff member feels heard, supported and empowered to navigate the menopausal journey with dignity and confidence. We are proud hearing how the support we have put in place has made real improvements to their quality of life at work and at home.
“Listening to the concerns and experiences of our staff, we have proactively raised awareness of symptoms and the challenges they may bring. Not everyone may feel comfortable discussing their menopause experience, so we want to provide flexible solutions and resources suited to individual preferences and circumstances.”
Debra Jones, wellbeing officer at Lancashire County Council, added: “We felt the accreditation gave us an opportunity to be recognised externally for the support we have in place, while also helping us further improve our offering. The key to success was gaining senior leader support and bringing together a project group from a diverse range of roles, grades and experiences. By ensuring they are involved throughout the journey, the outcomes are reflective of our workforce and their needs.”
