World’s first Menopause Friendly Employer Awards – hosted by Louise Minchin – will recognise firms committed to being menopause friendly

Firms committed to being menopause friendly will be recognised and celebrated at the world’s first Menopause Friendly Employer Awards: powered by HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank.

Organised by Menopause Friendly and supported by the CIPD, the awards will be held on Thursday September 22, 2022. Guests will join online and in person at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, St Paul’s and the event will be hosted by broadcaster Louise Minchin.

“I love the idea of the Menopause Friendly Awards and applauding employers who’ve made a commitment and made a difference,” says Louise. “It’s incredible to think we’ll be celebrating something that was a complete taboo even a couple of years ago.”

As well as shining a light on those employers who have gone above and beyond in their quest to be Menopause Friendly, the Awards aim to raise awareness and funds for two important charity partners and one education partner, with 100% of the event’s revenue going to:

  1. Wellbeing of Women – Charity Partner – funding research into women’s reproductive and gynaecological health, including menopause
  2. The Daisy Network – Charity Partner – providing information and support to women diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (Premature Menopause)
  3. Bournemouth University – Education Partner – to fund a research grant for the University to explore menopause in the workplace

The Awards are free to enter for all Menopause Friendly Accreditation members. A range of 10 Awards for businesses and individuals will be judged by an Independent Panel against a set of clearly defined criteria.  Entries are open now until 5pm on Monday August 1, 2022.

“The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards will be a wonderful celebration of best practice displayed by a diverse range of employers, organisations and individuals,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace“By sharing their award-winning practices, we will inspire others and accelerate change around menopause in the workplace. Our charity and education partners sit at the heart of the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards and, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we will be donating all the proceeds of the evening to support their valuable work.”

Supported by sponsors

Alongside the headline sponsor HSBC UKfirst direct and M&S Bank, the Awards are proud to introduce founding sponsors including BAE SystemsBootsBristol Myers SquibbCelerityPeppySantander and Theramex.

“Awards such as these help to break the taboo surrounding menopause in the workplace and, in doing so, embolden employers to support their people in the right way,” says Chris Pitt, CEO of first direct “As the first employers in the UK to be awarded the Menopause Friendly Accreditation, we are delighted and incredibly proud that first direct, HSBC and M&S Bank are sponsoring the first ever Menopause Friendly Employer Awards. This event will be a chance to come together to recognise and celebrate all the amazing work that people have done and continue to do.”

 

The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards have attracted cross-party support

“There is increasing awareness around the need for robust and meaningful menopause friendly policies within workplaces and many employers are doing excellent work in this area,” says Carolyn Harris MP, co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce. “The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards are a great initiative that will reward the effort and achievement of employers who are committed to making lasting and positive changes.”

“Employers have a crucial role to play in supporting women going through peri-menopause and menopause, says The Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP and Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee. “These awards are an opportunity to celebrate and champion them and spread the word that it is good for productivity to keep amazing, experienced women in the workplace.”

To find out more and to enter the Awards, visit: https://menopausefriendly.co.uk/awards/