Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has received menopause-friendly accreditation as part of its commitment to supporting its employees during the condition.
To receive the accreditation, the service had to demonstrate its effectiveness in culture, training, policies, staff engagement and working environment. Its goal was to create an inclusive and supportive culture where the menopause is understood, normalised and openly discussed.
It was recognised due to its provision of mandated menopause awareness training to all members of staff to ensure support is there while going through all stages of the condition. It also ensured guidance is in place and regularly refreshed, created risk assessments, put posters in washrooms promoting common symptoms, improved toilet and welfare provisions for fire crews at incidents, and held internal events.
Hayley Douglas, assistant director for communication and engagement, and menopause champion for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved this accreditation as it validates all the work we have done over the past few years to understand the impact of menopause symptoms on the many different roles people do in our fire service and to ensure the right support is in place.
“It has been about making our workplace somewhere that conversations about menopause and the impact of symptoms can be had openly without embarrassment or fear of being treated differently. We’ve shared our work with other fire and rescue services and helped organise large events nationally for employees to learn more to benefit themselves and to support others.”
Matthew Warren, chief fire officer at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “We are passionate about creating a workplace where our employees feel supported, and can thrive in their careers. Our work to ensure we support those going through menopause and helping everyone who works here to understand the impact of symptoms so they can be supportive employees, is a great example of how we do that. We constantly strive to be an inclusive employer, recognising the benefits that has for us in delivering our services to the public and so we’re delighted to have the work we have done in this area officially recognised.”
