The leading industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards – powered by HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank – has revealed its finalists ahead of the live Awards ceremony on Thursday September 22, 2022 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, St Paul’s. The event will be hosted by broadcaster Louise Minchin: 180 guests will attend in person while 100s more will join via live link from across the country.
Organised by Menopause Friendly and supported by the CIPD, the inaugural Menopause Friendly Employer Awards attracted over 85 entries across 10 categories. Most notable was that the two categories with the highest number of applications were ‘Most Open Workplace’ and ‘Best Support Group’ demonstrating the commitment by employers to open conversations and normalise menopause in the workplace.
Alongside the headline sponsor HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank, the Awards are supported by BAE Systems, Santander, Lloyds Banking Group, Boots, Peppy, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celerity, Theramex and Vitabiotics.
“This event will be a chance to come together to recognise all the amazing work that people have done and continue to do”, says Chris Pitt, CEO of first direct. “We feel proud to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with such exemplary co-sponsors and fellow entrants to these Awards: I wish them all the best of luck. Whatever the outcome, everyone in the room and at the remote employer parties should be proud of the part they’re playing in improving perceptions and actions around menopause in the workplace.”
“Not long ago, menopause was so clearly a taboo in the workplace,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace. “The response to our awards is both humbling and encouraging. Seeing the first-class businesses supporting the event and the wide array of entries from employers, large and small, just goes to show the progress being made.
“There is remarkable work being undertaken by many employers: business by business we are changing hearts and minds to make a difference to people’s lived experience of menopause in the workplace.”
The finalists in each category are as follows.
Category 1 – Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year
Bristol Myers Squibb
HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank
Leicestershire County Council
Category 2 – Most Open Workplace
Thames Valley Police
WW
Santander UK
BAE Systems
Ingeus
HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank
Category 3 – Best Engagement Campaign
Boots UK & Ireland, Boots Opticians and No 7 Beauty Company
Thames Valley Police
QVC UK
Ingeus
Category 4 – Most Menopause Friendly Environment
HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank
Bristol Myers Squibb
Nottingham University Hospital Trust
Category 5 – Best Trained Workforce
Bristol Myers Squibb
Leicestershire County Council
WW
HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank
Category 6 – Best Training Initiative
Leicestershire County Council
Bristol Myers Squibb
BAE Systems
Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care System
Category 7 – Best Support Group
Aster Group
Lloyds Banking Group
Boots UK & Ireland, Boots Opticians and No 7 Beauty Company
Alzheimer’s Society
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Santander UK
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
Category 8 – Most Supportive Partner
Santander UK
Huddersfield Town Football Club
HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank
Category 9 – Community Award
Santander UK – Theresa Winters
Experian – Kathy England
QVC UK – Tracey Cuckson
Cadent – Lucy Stuart
first direct Bank – Sue Costello
Leicestershire County Council – Mandy Baughurst
Aster Group – Julie Cridland
Category 10 – The Carolyn Lazurus Award
To be announced on the night
To find out more visit: https://menopausefriendly.co.uk/awards/
