Timpson, which employs around 5,000 members of staff and is best known for its key cutting and shoe repair high street shops, introduced a new benefit in October 2021, which covers the cost of any hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions in order to raise awareness and open the conversation up around the menopause.
James Timpson, chief executive of the Timpson Group, which also includes photo processing and dry cleaning businesses, Timpson Locksmiths, The Watch Workshop, barber shop branches, and Flock Inns, announced on Twitter on World Menopause Day (18 October) that staff will be able to claim back the cost of their HRT prescriptions via their expenses.
Laura Garside, HR business partner and menopause champion at Timpson Group, says: “Feedback from employees has been incredibly positive. To know that James Timpson realises the importance of supporting colleagues through the menopause has allowed men and women across our businesses to be more open and honest about their experiences and the support they might benefit from in work.”
As more than one-third (39%) of Timpson's staff are women, it was important for senior leadership to engender a caring approach through its aim to better support, educate and empower employees to be open about a natural process.
The business’ journey to offer this support started by including educational pieces in Timpson Group News, its weekly magazine that is distributed across the group.
“Even just opening up the conversation has showed a massive change for us," explains Garside. "I have received feedback from our male staff who now better understand the potential symptoms and side effects of the menopause, and have been able to have more open conversations with their family members and partners. It has improved their understanding not only in work, but at home too.”
