Force recognised nationally as a Menopause Friendly Employer

Leicestershire Police is delighted to be recognised nationally as a Menopause Friendly Employer independently accredited by Menopause Friendly.

Professor Jo Brewis, a Menopause Friendly Independent Panel member, said; “We’re delighted to see Leicestershire Police achieve Independent Menopause Friendly Accreditation. They’ve done some amazing work to make a difference for their colleagues. Of particular note is the huge amount of focus on engagement to create a culture where menopause is easy to talk about. Well done to everyone involved.”  

Leicestershire is only the second force in the country to be awarded this accreditation.

The accreditation is thanks to the passion and hard work of Yvonne Burge, who works in the employment experience and wellbeing team.  The team has been instrumental in raising awareness and increasing support and training across the force about the impact of the menopause on staff and officers who are directly affected, or who work with colleagues who are going through it. This has ben done in a number of ways including;

• Creating a manager’s toolkit aimed at supporting people in the workplace through perimenopause and menopause.
• Raising awareness of the health issue by creating a series of engaging animated videos aimed not only at those directly affected by perimenopause/menopause but also for line managers/supervisors and colleagues to improve knowledge, understanding, and empathy.
• Ensuring the provision of cotton shirts.Publishing regular updates on the force’s intranet and developing a ‘one stop shop’ of information, support and guidance available online through a dedicated internal menopause website.

“Employers have a crucial role to play in supporting women working through menopause and I applaud those organisations making that extra effort to achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation,” says The Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP and Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee. 

“To be truly menopause friendly, employers must put in place policies alongside training and awareness protocols for all colleagues, address both physical and mental wellbeing considerations and be prepared to make practical changes to the workplace environment. 

“I consider the Menopause Friendly Accreditation as a kitemark of excellence for menopause in the workplace. Employers who achieve this should display this badge with pride as it shows employees, stakeholders, customers, business associates and industry at large that they have gone above and beyond to change the lived experience of those working through menopause.”

Chief Constable Rob Nixon said; “Leicestershire Police strives to be a workplace in which everyone can flourish.  Menopause is everyone’s issue and responsibility and we all have a part to play in developing a supportive and nurturing place to come to work. National research tells us that one in ten people who experience symptoms of the menopause, leave the workplace.  The excellent work our force is doing to increase awareness and understanding will hopefully ensure the wellbeing of our staff and officers is sufficiently supported to enable them to remain in the workplace and I am thrilled that has been recognised nationally.”