Supporting Menopause in the Workplace: A Culture of Care  

World Menopause Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on Practice Plus Group’s commitment to inclusivity and employees’ well-being. Learn how we support the women in our organisation experiencing menopause.

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World Menopause Day is marked on October 18 every year. This initiative led by the International Menopause Society (IMS), aims to raise awareness, break the stigma attached to menopause and encourage open discussions in the workplace and communities. 

Practice Plus Group recognise that creating an inclusive workplace also means to  support colleagues experiencing menopause and spread awareness about it in the entire organisation. With a predominantly female workforce—78% in Secondary Care, 81% in Health in Justice, and 77% in Integrated Urgent Care —we want to make sure we are doing all we can to help the women in our company go through menopause feeling they don’t have to do it alone.  

“Practice Plus Group have raised awareness for women starting their menopause journey. There have been incredibly thought-provoking and informative presentations, and each hospital has opened a menopause clinic. It has particularly helped my staff within the hospital to open up about their own experiences.” – Sarah-Jane Fell, Hospital Director, Practice Plus Group Hospital Plymouth 

Reflecting on 2024

This past year, we’ve made significant strides in supporting our staff. Here are some highlights: 

• Menopause Working Group: We expanded our dedicated team focusing on addressing workplace challenges related to menopause to enhance workplace conditions for affected employees. 

• Menopause Survey: Earlier this year, over 700 of our employees participated in our comprehensive menopause survey—one of our most engaged surveys ever. The results gave us deep insights into the needs of our colleagues. 

• Menopause Workplace Pledge: We pledged support for menopause in the workplace through Wellbeing of Women‘s initiative. We’ve joined other organisations in committing to providing better support for employees navigating the menopause transition. 
• Menopause Training Resources: We promoted awareness and support through comprehensive resources and our Employee Menopause Guide, which are accessible via the intranet and LMS. They offer essential information for both managers and colleagues on menopause policies, support plans, and reasonable adjustments to create a supportive workplace. 

Addressing the Challenges 

Learning about your struggles from the survey feedback, we took steps to address a few of them and drive some meaningful changes at Practice Plus Group.  

• Uniforms: We’ve started evaluating more comfortable uniform options, especially for those experiencing hot flushes. 

• Noise-Cancelling Headphones for our call centre teams: We are piloting noise-cancelling headphones to improve comfort and reduce stress. 

• Working Environment: We’re working to make our workplaces more conducive to those experiencing temperature fluctuations by revisiting centrally controlled heating systems and exploring ways to increase fresh air flow where possible. 

We also provide tailored support for menopause through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered through Health Assured, using their app, Wisdom. 

These actions are just the beginning as we transition from a working group to making menopause support part of our regular operations. 

And this is just the beginning!

We are excited to announce that we’re introducing Menopause Advocates at our workplaces. These advocates will serve as points of contact for staff seeking advice or support related to menopause. 

Join our team

We’re proud of the array of initiatives that we as a company have driven throughout 2024 and remain committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you’re looking for a company that prioritises employee well-being and inclusivity, we invite you to explore our careers and join our team!