Digital insurance business iGO4 has pledged to cover the cost of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for employees, and has signed the Menopause Workplace pledge.
The firm, which employs around 300 members of staff, signed the pledge in order to demonstrate its commitment to recognising the impact of the menopause, and the need for support for those affected.
It has followed in the footsteps of various businesses, including Boots and Timpson, in making the move to pay for the treatment for staff. The initiative may also help to offset the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as an HRT prescription in England currently costs £9.35, or double that figure for those who need two types of hormonal treatment.
In addition to this policy, which it stated would benefit its 60% female workforce, iGO4 set up a dedicated in-house group that will aim to educate all staff about the menopause, as well as hosting virtual discussion cafés as part of its internal communications campaign. It has also pledged to bring in comprehensive awareness training for its teams.
Matt Munro, founder and chief executive officer at iGO4, said: “Menopause is a personal subject, but talking about it openly is important if we want to increase understanding and break the societal taboo, and the key to achieving this is to include both men and women in the conversation. All of our employees should feel comfortable asking for help when they need it and we have a responsibility to engender this culture. We hope that iGO4 leading by example will encourage other businesses to follow suit.
“It’s about changing the way we think and talk about the subject and educating our team to handle it sensitively when it does arise. For example, rather than managers performance managing someone, they can understand the reasons behind any issues and work toward a collaborative solution, involving other parties, such as GPs, as needed.”