The industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards – powered by headline sponsors HSBC UK, first direct, M&S Bank and Peppy – has named the finalists ahead of the Awards ceremony on Thursday September 14, 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
The prestigious event will celebrate and recognise excellence among organisations and individuals going above and beyond to support menopause in the workplace. Hosted by broadcaster and menopause champion Louise Minchin, 350 guests will attend in person while hundreds more will join via live link from across the country.
The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards are organised by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. The awards cover 11 categories that recognise organisations, teams and individuals who have successfully changed the lived experience of menopause in the workplace. As well as celebrating their achievements, the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards aims to raise £100,000 for a range of menopause-related charities, programmes and research.
“The standard of this year’s Awards entries has been phenomenal – employers have significantly raised the bar in terms of their creativity, innovative approach and, importantly, making a positive impact in their workplace,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace.
Who else is sponsoring the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards?
The Awards have attracted a wealth of menopause friendly members keen to sponsor the categories and tables. Taking their place alongside the headline sponsors are Accenture, BAE Systems, Boots and No7 Beauty Company, Bristol Myers Squibb, British Airways, Lloyds Banking Group, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Theramex and Vitabiotics.
“As the first organisation to be awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation we know first-hand the positive impact and the importance of being a menopause friendly workplace,” says Chris Pitt, CEO of first direct. “These awards are a great opportunity for people to learn from one another, with best practice tips being shared among guests to encourage an open dialogue and positive change.”
“We believe employers have a crucial role to play in breaking down the taboo and filling the gap in health and wellbeing care for those experiencing menopause,” says Kathy Abernethy, Chief Nursing Officer & Clinical Director Menopause Services, Peppy. “Raising the profile of businesses who have shown themselves to be real agents of change as these Awards set out to do, is an important part of encouraging and inspiring other businesses to recognise their role and join the movement to make a difference.”
The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards were judged by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel who were looking particularly for the impact achieved within the workplace. The finalists in each category follow below.
“The Independent Panel had a tough job selecting the finalists from such a strong field and judging went into a second day, such was the number of entries and exceptionally high quality of applications,” continues Deborah. “I would like to thank the Independent Panel for their expertise and passion and feel reassured that every finalist is deserving of their recognition.
“I would also like to thank all the employers and individuals for taking time to enter the Awards and extend my congratulations to all the finalists. There is no doubt that their remarkable work and dedication is changing hearts and minds to improve people’s lived experience of menopause in the workplace.”
The finalists of the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards 2023
Category 1 – Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year
BAE Systems
Bristol Myers Squibb
Cadent Gas
HSBC UK | first direct | M&S Bank
Marine Management Organisation
Thames Valley Police
Unilever UK & Ireland
Category 2 – Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer
BAE Systems
Colt Technology Services
HSBC UK | first direct | M&S Bank
Joined Up Care Derbyshire
Moody’s Corporation
Category 3 – Most Open Workplace
Aramark
Bristol Myers Squibb
Mott MacDonald
Santander
South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and South Yorkshire Integrated Care
Thames Valley Police
Category 4 – Best Engagement Campaign
BT
Colt Technology Services
Department for Education
Medical Protection Society
Category 5 – Most Menopause Friendly Environment
Independent Assessment Services (IAS) by Atos
Correla
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
QVC
Category 6 – Best Trained Workforce
BAE Systems
No7 Beauty Company
Bristol Myers Squibb
Holland & Barrett
University of Greenwich
Category 7 – Best Training Initiative
No7 Beauty Company
BT
Dentons
Department for Education
Experian
Category 8 – Best Support Group
Independent Assessment Services (IAS) by Atos
British Airways
BNP Paribas
Close Brothers Group Plc
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Lloyds Banking Group
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
WTW
Category 9 – Most Supportive Partner
Derby County Community Trust
Huddersfield Town Association Football Club
University of Greenwich
Category 10 – Community Award
Jill Ross – Accenture
Sarah Garton – Accenture
Maria Hathaway – Stonewater
Lisa Hogg – Independent Assessment Services (IAS) by Atos
Brigitte Kavani- NHS South Yorkshire ICB
Maureen Montague – University of Greenwich
Nancy Reeve – WTW
Paula Rix – Medical Protection Society
Marie-Anne Sandler – First Source
Gill Thomas – Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Category 11 – The Carolyn Lazurus Award
To be announced on the night
Read more about the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards
The Government rejected the proposals to pilot menopause leave at workplace.
