Domiciliary care provider Cera has received menopause-friendly accreditation as part of a commitment to support its affected employees.
Established by Menopause in the Workplace by Henpicked, accreditation is awarded to employers that are committed to improving the lived experience of menopause at work.
Cera achieved its accreditation following an assessment across its culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment.
It fostered an open environment where the menopause can be discussed without stigma, offers a range of support options, including flexible working and uniform adaptations, and rolled out mandatory e-learning for all employees to build awareness and understanding.
It also established a network of menopause champions and monthly workshops to drive continuous awareness and education, and made practical adjustments, such as providing fans or moving workstations to cooler areas.
Making menopause support available was a strategic priority for Cera, as women make up 82% of its 12,000-strong workforce, and more than a quarter are in the age bracket most commonly associated with the condition.
Annabel Taylor, chief people officer at Cera, said: “With growing workforce shortages affecting adult social care, retaining our most skilled and experienced frontline carers is a national priority. We are committed to building a sector where every individual can thrive through every stage of their life. Supporting our employees through menopause and perimenopause is at the heart of our ambition to promote inclusivity, wellbeing and empathy in the workplace. Achieving the menopause-friendly accreditation is a landmark milestone for us and the wider care sector.”
Deborah Garlick, chief executive officer of Menopause in the Workplace by Henpicked, added: “We’re delighted to see the progress Cera has made in building a workplace where menopause can be talked about openly and where employees feel genuinely supported. It’s encouraging to see menopause being embedded within wider wellbeing and inclusion initiatives, with employees increasingly engaging in conversations and accessing the support they need.”
