Pharmaceutical firm Bristol Myers Squibb and banks HSBC UK and Santander all took home awards at the inaugural Menopause Friendly Employer Awards ceremony on 22 September.
The awards consisted of 10 categories, with Bristol Myers Squibb winning the Menopause friendly employer of the year and Best trained workforce awards. Santander UK took home the Most supportive partner accolade, with senior HR manager of employee experience proposition Theresa Winters winning The Carolyn Lazurus Award.
The Most menopause friendly environment award went to HSBC UK, including First Direct and M and S Bank.
The winners of the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards 2022 were:
Menopause friendly employer of the year
Bristol Myers Squibb
Most open workplace
Thames Valley Police
Best engagement campaign
Boots UK & Ireland, Boots Opticians and No 7 Beauty Company
Most menopause friendly environment
HSBC UK, including first direct and M&S Bank
Best trained workforce
Bristol Myers Squibb
Best training initiative
Leicestershire County Council
Best support group
Aster Group
Most supportive partner
Santander UK
Community award
Mandy Baughurst - Leicestershire County Council
The Carolyn Lazurus award
Theresa Winters - Santander UK
Deborah Garlick, chief executive officer of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace and organiser of the awards, said: “Growing numbers of employers are now working towards the menopause friendly accreditation, recognising this is the kitemark of excellence for menopause in the workplace. These awards show how remarkable work by such employers can change hearts and minds and make a real difference to people’s lived experience.
“The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards recognise their commitment and determination to change the narrative and provide a platform to inspire others to follow their example.”
Rachel Suff, wellbeing adviser at the CIPD, added: “It was wonderful to see the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards bring together so much enthusiasm, commitment and focus to face the challenge of working through menopause. Having ‘Most Open Workplace’ and ‘Best Support Group’ attracting the most entries is indicative of the journey that is essential for all employers to raise awareness, open the conversation and provide a safe place for colleagues to feel comfortable opening up about their experience. I hope that other organisations will be inspired to look at their own workplace training and support programme going forwards.”
Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said: “The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards has been a remarkable event which fills me with optimism for the future of menopause in the workplace. If every employer was doing what these amazing employers are, the taboo around menopause in the workplace would end.
"It’s incredible how far we’ve come to be celebrating such progress and success, but there is plenty more work to be done. Employers who have a menopause policy in place know how valuable this is: I would urge them all to engage with at least one other business who has yet to address menopause in the workplace to speed the ripple effect across industry.”
