Accreditation scheme opens for firms supporting menopausal employees

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A new accreditation scheme is being introduced for Irish firms to show they support their employees coping with debilitating menopause symptoms.

The independent programme, run by The Menopause Hub Academy, will recognise organisations that actively support and accommodate employees enduring such symptoms.

An online survey last year revealed that symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hot flushes and severe exhaustion caused a third of women in Ireland to consider quitting their jobs, while 84 per cent said menopause affected their performance and ability at work.

Menopause Hub founder Loretta Dignam said organisations can “significantly improve” the wellbeing and morale of menopausal employees by addressing the physical, emotional and psychological challenges they face.

She said: “This, in turn, leads to increased employee engagement, retention and reduced absenteeism and can actively help businesses save money.”

Supermarket giant Lidl, which employs 3,500 women in Ireland, says its current menopause policy has made a “huge difference” and it now intends to apply for full ‘Menopause Workplace Excellence Accreditation’, the country’s first such programme.

Chief people officer for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, Maeve McCleane said: “We would be mad as a business to lose any woman who thinks she has to give up work due to debilitating symptoms.

“It has made a huge difference to women not to have the additional anxiety of having to hide their symptoms and even a small thing like changing the shift pattern if a woman is suffering insomnia or fatigue can make their job so much easier.

“We have educated managers on menopause and the symptoms and what reasonable action they can take to help any woman who is suffering.

“The workforce is ageing and we need to future-proof our business to support these women.”

The accreditation programme involves implementing policies, educational and training initiatives and workplace adjustments for small, medium and large businesses.

Measures such as temperature regulation, fans and flexible working hours can also boost productivity.

Ms Dignam added: “Every organisation, whether in the public or private sector, that wishes to become perimenopause or menopause inclusive is eligible to apply.

“Too often, women are forced to suffer in silence or miss a day’s work while they try to cope with symptoms including hot flushes, anxiety and fatigue, all of which can be alleviated by simple measures and support.”

To gain accreditation, employers are asked to carry out a self-assessment of current policies and practices and develop a menopause policy, including education and workplace adjustment.

They are charged an application fee depending on the size of their workforce and once applications are assessed and approved, they receive an accreditation certificate, which is valid for two years.

Successful firms can display a digital badge on their website and have access to webinars as well as awards for “workplace menopause excellence”.

The first applications will be assessed by the end of September with certificates awarded to coincide with World Menopause Day on October 18th.

More information is available at menopausehubacademy.com/accreditation