Menopause Friendly Winners Shine at Industry Awards

Menopause friendly employers and trailblazing individuals shone at the industry-recognised 2024 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards – powered by headline sponsor Peppy – on Wednesday September 11, 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

Now in its third year, the prestigious 2024 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards recognise organisations and individuals whose commitment and determination have succeeded in providing support, solutions and resources that normalise menopause in the workplace. Hosted by TV and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon, the sell-out event had over 400 guests attending in person and via live link from across the country.

“It was an absolute honour to host the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards and to meet so many extraordinary employers and individuals committed to changing their workplace culture to become menopause friendly,” says Lisa Snowdon. “Having struggled myself with debilitating menopause symptoms, I was inspired by the sheer commitment and, in some cases, bravery shown by people to bring about lasting change. It was a privilege to help shine a light on their amazing work and I loved the enthusiasm and encouragement in the room as everyone was cheering on everyone else. It was a truly uplifting event.”

Organised by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, the 2024 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards comprised nine categories that recognise organisations, teams and individuals who have successfully changed the lived experience of menopause in the workplace. Judged by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel, winners were those who showed innovation and evidence of the impact and positive change achieved within the workplace.

All-important sponsorship

“We chose to be the headline sponsor for the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards 2024 as we believe it’s vital to recognise and support the changemakers,” says Max Landry, Co-Founder, Peppy. “Working closely with Menopause Friendly member companies to support their staff, we see first-hand the positive impact being menopause friendly can have on individuals and organisations. This was our third time at the Awards and it was the biggest and best so far!”

Alongside Peppy were category sponsors Boots and No 7 Beauty Company, British Airways, Mars, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Specsavers, Theramex and Vitabiotics Menopace. As well as supporting the Awards event, their sponsorship contributes vital funds for menopause-related charities, programmes and research alongside ticket sales and donations. Since its inception, the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards has raised £150,000 for good causes and this year’s event hopes to take this to £200,000.

Highlight – Menopause Friendly Accreditation surpasses 100

A highlight of the evening was the announcement that the number of Menopause Friendly Accredited employers has just topped 100. Ovo and Lancashire County Council were among the most recent cohort of newly accredited organisations that resulted in hitting the milestone figure and were at the Awards to hear this news in person.

Launched three and half years ago, the Menopause Friendly Accreditation is the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met making it truly robust and meaningful. Employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in five key areas: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment. Organisations large and small from both the private and public sectors are among those who have been awarded the Menopause Friendly Accreditation.

“The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done by members of the Menopause Friendly Membership and Accreditation,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “What our members are doing is changing hearts and minds about menopause for good, helping people live better lives today and for generations to come. I congratulate each and every one and thank them for all they’re doing.”

The full list of winners is below and more can be seen here.

Menopause Friendly Employer Awards 2024

Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year

PRIVATE SECTOR WINNER – BAE Systems

PUBLIC SECTOR WINNER – Leicestershire County Council

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Cornerstone

Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer

WINNER – Thames Valley Police

Most Open Culture

WINNER – Close Brothers

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Royal Mail

Most Menopause Friendly Working Environment

WINNER – Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Best Engagement Approach

WINNER – Young Epilepsy

Best Trained Workforce

WINNER – Lancashire County Council

Best Peer To Peer Support

WINNER – Leicestershire County Council

HIGHLY COMMENDED – British Airways

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Most Supportive Partner

WINNER – Huddersfield Town Football Club

Carolyn Lazarus Award for Best Individual Contribution

JOINT WINNER – Huddersfield Town Football Club: Zoe Shackleton

JOINT WINNER – Specsavers: Louise Furby