Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has signed up to become an endometriosis-friendly employer to drive positive change in the workplace for those with endometriosis.
As part of the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme, led by charity Endometriosis UK, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has committed to ensuring its employees with the disease can contribute to the best of their ability and pursue their career of choice.
The scheme will provide the trust with guidance on how to support employees with endometriosis, as well as breaking down taboos and stigmas around menstrual health. It will do this by appointing endometriosis champions, who will receive training from the charity to enable them to provide assistance and information to the workforce.
The trust will also train its managers and ensure that employees who experience the mental and physical impacts of endometriosis, and other menstrual health conditions, know what support is available. This can include dedicated policies, private medical insurance plans and employee assistance programmes.
Vicky Pickles, health and wellbeing advisor and deputy chair of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Women and Allies’ Network, said: “Our Women and Allies’ Network provides a safe and supportive space for women, employees who identify as a woman and male allies, to come together and celebrate women in the workplace, and champion issues that only affect or disproportionately affect women in our trust. We are proud to have joined the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme, which is an important step in ensuring our employees living with endometriosis receive the understanding and support they need to flourish in the workplace.”
Emma Cox, chief executive officer of Endometriosis UK, added: “By showing employees they are valued and can expect support and reasonable adjustments to help those with endometriosis and menstrual conditions succeed at work, Yorkshire Ambulance Service will be increasing engagement across the whole of its workforce and tackling taboos around menstrual health and endometriosis, ultimately making the organisation more successful.”
