BNP Paribas Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB) UK – provider of sustainably tailored financial services – has been awarded with The Menopause Friendly Accreditation. With a strong emphasis on risk and regulatory management for corporate and institutional clients worldwide, BNP Paribas aims to contribute to responsible and sustainable economy by financing and advising its clients according to the highest ethical standards.
BNP Paribas CIB UK has three offices in the UK: Dundee, Glasgow and London, its head office. Its UK territory is one of over 50 countries in which CIB operates. An employer who cares about wellbeing and understanding in the workplace, BNP Paribas is on a mission to continue to create an inclusive environment where its employees can be their best selves. They aim to ensure staff feel supported, enabling them to make informed choices that are right for them and their wellbeing. It is this desire which led the organisation to work from being Menopause Friendly to achieving the Menopause Friendly Accreditation.
The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), recognises high standards and proven practices which embrace menopause in the workplace. To achieve the Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in these six key areas: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.
In working towards accreditation, BNP Paribas highlighted three areas which have brought the most positive changes to their workforce:
- The implementation of a UK Menopause Policy
- The introduction of unlimited Menopause GP appointments with HCA Roodlane Medical
- The expansion of private medical provision to include benefit in relation to menopause symptoms
To complement these, the introduction of referral pathways between its providers Peppy & HCA Roodlane Medical, had the biggest impact on staff by creating seamless routes to care and support.
“The Menopause Friendly Accreditation provided internal recognition for the great work we have implemented within the menopause space,” says Ian Mackenzie, UK Head of Pension and Benefits. “Importantly, it also makes it clear to all staff that we are fully committed to supporting their wellbeing and take pride in providing an inclusive and caring environment.”
Ian offered advice to other organisations looking to start the journey to become Menopause Friendly, based on BNP Paribas’ experiences. “Don’t be afraid to have gaps in your services. There is always more that can be done and we, alongside all other accredited companies, will have key areas of focus into 2024 and beyond. The accreditation process is just as much about helping you achieve your goals as well as validating any existing menopause offering.
“We were surprised at the detail of the application process,” continues Ian. “You can tell that a lot of hard work has gone in to make it as robust as possible. A key benefit of the process requiring so much evidence, is that you can take stock of what you have or don’t have in place. The whole process acts as a great gap analysis!”
Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, offered her congratulations, “The independent panel, which assesses all applications, was incredibly impressed by the range and depth of evidence which BNP Paribas CIB UK provided to support all the work they have been doing. Whilst the accreditation is given to UK companies, I’m delighted to see BNP Paribas reach out to its sister territories around the world. Allowing them to be part of the learning journey, facilitate change and bring support to their employees shows tremendous vision.”
