Scottish law firm Burness Paull has received menopause friendly employer accreditation through an independent panel assessment.
To achieve the accreditation, an employer must demonstrate that it understands how menopause can affect employees at work, as well as providing relevant support and resources and being committed to the ongoing wellbeing of all affected members of staff.
According to the firm, it created a policy framework and a range of practical support and resources that included training some employees to become menopause champions.
The panel featured Kathy Abernethy, former chair of The British Menopause Society, and Paul Sesay, founder and CEO of the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers. The firm was told by one of the independent panel assessors that it had fostered “a really inclusive culture where it’s easy and comfortable to talk about menopause”.
Emma Smith, inclusion and wellbeing manager at Burness Paull, said: “We are a firm where respect and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and are committed to promoting a workplace culture where everyone can succeed. Taking practical steps to help colleagues experiencing menopause is part of that, and looking at the menopause friendly programme is something we’d encourage other employers to consider.”
Deborah Garlick, director at Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, which is a UK organisation that helps businesses implement effective and practical changes regarding the condition, added that her and the team are “truly grateful” for all the firm has done by sharing its experience with other employers, which she believes will help drive societal mindset change around the menopause.
“It is fantastic to see Burness Paull become the first menopause friendly accredited workplace in Scotland. Their campaign has broken new ground in best practice, brought to life with inspiration and passion. It isn’t just an issue for women, knowledge and understanding of its impact is a life skill for all,” she said.