Shaw Trust has received menopause friendly employer accreditation after introducing tools and support for those impacted in the workplace.
The charity, which has more than 3,000 employees, gained the recognition by demonstrating to an independent panel that it had set high standards and implemented effective practices in six key areas – culture, engagement, policies and practices, facilities, training and evaluation.
As a large employer, the Trust highlighted the importance of offering support and letting its workforce know that “it’s okay to not be okay all of the time”. By listening to its teams it realised that it needed “to be part of a wider, national conversation about menopause, to help breakdown taboos”.
The organisation, which has a 60% female workforce, estimates that around 800 staff members could be experiencing the menopause at any time.
Commenting on the accreditation, the Trust’s head of diversity and inclusion, Michelle Jackson said: “At Shaw Trust we are incredibly proud of the work we do to ensure our workspaces are inclusive. Addressing menopause head on, and ensuring women, their partners, families, colleagues and teams have the tools and support they need to get on with life, and continue to enjoy work, is incredibly satisfying.”
Established by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace in 2021, the accreditation sets clear standards for organisations that want to create a supportive environment for its workforce.
Jackson added: “Too often women’s physical and emotional menopause symptoms lead them to devalue their contribution, but by becoming open about menopause we are now able to support women – they can be open about having a hot flush, a forgetful moment, needing a moment without embarrassment. It’s a much kinder environment, and as an organisation we get to benefit from the experience, commitment and talent of these women.”
The menopause accreditation adds to the mindful employer, National Equality Standard and Disability Confident Leader statuses also achieved by the charity.
In addition to offering menopause support, Shaw Trust also has a wide range of family-friendly policies in place. This includes providing up to 10 days of discretionary paid leave and the option to apply for flexible working from day one of employment, as well as enhanced maternity/adoption/shared parental pay after two years’ service and two weeks of paid paternity leave.
All employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and five days of occupational sick pay, both of which increase with length of service, and two days of paid volunteering leave. They also have the opportunity to buy additional holiday and have access to support returning to work after ill health, a trained health and wellbeing team an external employee assistance programme, a healthcare cash plan with options to include family members, discounts and savings, life assurance, workplace savings and pension schemes, a cycle-to-work scheme, growth and development, and pay progression.
Internal apprenticeships and the option to apply for study leave and sabbaticals after three years’ service are also available to staff.
