Furniture retailer DFS has launched new menopause guidelines for employees to encourage supportive conversations around the subject on World Menopause Day (18 October).
According to the business, which employs 4,000 people, it will provide staff and their partners with a range of supportive tools and materials. They will have access to clinician-led menopause support and GP-led group consultations for manufacturing workers on site.
The organisation will also host training, educational and awareness webinars to help raise awareness of menopause among staff, which will be delivered in partnership with providers Henpicked, My Menopause Centre and Peppy. Employees will gain access to a wellness app for additional support and information, which is a transferrable benefit that also allows male members of staff to help family members with the material available.
In addition, as part of the changes, DFS has trained internal menopause champions to create what it calls a culture of alliance and support, with each champion set to help drive positive and supportive menopause conversations and provide access to the support channels available. These will further help senior leaders and employees understand the support available to them, and how they can find and use it to help them or their partner in the best possible way.
Joanne Shawcroft, group people director at DFS, expressed her delight at launching the guidelines that coincide with Menopause Awareness Month and World Menopause Day. She explained that the business take its responsibilities to staff and communities seriously, aiming is to create a culture where all are welcome.
“Everyone can be affected by the menopause: half of us experience it first-hand and the rest of us through our relationships, whether that’s with a partner, family member, friend or work colleague. That’s why we’re passionate about making sure everyone in our organisation is included in this conversation, understands how they can help and has the right support,” she said.