RSA Insurance has announced that it is committing to become an accredited menopause-friendly employer.
The accreditation signifies that an employer cares about the wellbeing of its colleagues and has a clear understanding of how menopause can have an effect at work, RSA said. To attain this accreditation, the organisation must convince an independent panel of judges that it is offering the right awareness, education and support.
In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach menopause is 51. According to Jo Brewis, co-author of the Government Report on Menopause, menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the British workforce. A recent survey by Fertifa and the Latte Lounge revealed that 42% of respondents said that perimenopause or menopause had led them to consider leaving their job, making menopause an increasingly important issue for employers.
“The statistics clearly show there are a huge number of women who are struggling in the workplace because of this normal and inevitable process,” said Helen Symonds, human resources advice leader at RSA. “Normalising menopause at work and making it unremarkable is the right thing to do and long overdue. By removing the stigma, we want colleagues to understand they are not alone and the correct support is available. We hope accreditation will make colleagues going through this happier, more committed and satisfied in their roles.”
“Menopause-friendly accreditation was created because this is such an important issue which many businesses are struggling to understand and manage,” said Deborah Garlick, director of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “We are delighted to help RSA become accredited. Accreditations are testament to the commitment, passion and drive of a business in recognising the importance of menopause in the workplace.”
