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/