NEC member and treasurer Jo Hurford discusses women's health in the workplace webinar
The webinar was chaired by Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Chair of Wellbeing for Women and Women’s Health Ambassador to England. Four panel members joined her; Dr Richard Caddis, Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Sarah Moore and Heather Palmer who hold various senior roles for Marks and Spencer (M&S), PWC, BT Group and the BBC.
The webinar was structured in a question-and-answer style. The conversation covered various issues that affected women in the workplace and recognised the complex issues women face, ranging from contraception, child loss, caring roles, and menopause.
It was interesting to hear that although 70% of Marks and Spencer's workforce and the majority of their customers are women, it is not uncommon for many managers to be men and be responsible for managing a team of women. However, it was refreshing to hear that M&S is working hard to educate all frontline managers on women's health and menopause and how they are striving to be more overt about opening up the conversation and directing people to resources and support available.
We heard how all four organisations have worked hard to review their policies and aim to provide equity for female staff members. They also all wanted to open up the lines of communication for female staff, providing listening time and space for such issues and recognising that it is not one-size-fits-all.
The four organisations have also introduced a fantastic range of initiatives to help women, some examples of this include:
- Introduction of policies such as fertility leave and miscarriage/baby loss leave.
- Opportunities to open up the fertility conversation, via the health passport.
- Educating, frontline leaders and line managers on issues such as menopause.
- Menopause included on sickness forms.
- Provision of free sanitary products to help tackle poverty
- BT and M&S – introduction of a menopause uniform option.
- M&S – staff to have access to digital GP's and mammograms (for females over 40 years old).
- BBC – introduction of unisex toilets, with sanitary products available in all. Provision of sanitary products in all outside forecasting trucks.
Other valuable resources related to this topic can be found at the following links: