Free training to strengthen organisations’ ability to effectively support employees experiencing menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace is being made available for the first time by BSI.
It comes a year after the launch of BSI’s landmark guidance on the topic and is designed to help accelerate progress to a fair and more equitable workplace culture, benefiting employees, employers and wider society alike.
The menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace awareness training course (BS 30416:2023) provides a framework for organisations to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees, regardless of their menstrual or menopausal status.
In May 2023, BSI published a standard on this topic (BS 30416), setting out practical recommendations for workplace adjustments, such as the appointment of workplace menstruation and menopause advocates. It has already been used by organisations such as Virgin Media and the Welsh Parliament.
The new workplace training aims to break down the stigma around these natural experiences and create a more understanding, supportive, flexible and inclusive working environment for all employees.
Delivered through on-demand training available 24/7 to cater to flexible and accessible eLearning, the course covers why providing menopause and menstruation support is important to an organisation and the benefits it can bring. It also looks in detail at the measures organizations can put in place to support employees in the workplace, and identifies common misconceptions related to the subject.
According to recent BSI research, a fifth of women expect to retire before official retirement. The Second Glass Ceiling report revealed that women are leaving the workforce early and not necessarily out of personal preference. One-fifth (21%) of women in the UK said health or well-being considerations for menopause were a barrier to continuing work, and nearly three-quarters (72%) wanted more support for women experiencing symptoms. Three in four (74%) said they believed employers have a role in offering women support around issues such as menopause, yet only 4% were are aware of formal policies in their organization to do so.
Chris Wright, director of the BSI Academy, said:
Organisations have the potential to be a crucial resource and support avenue for employees experiencing menstruation, menstrual health, and menopause. In turn, taking steps to support and retain experienced colleagues can offer benefits to organisations.
For more information on BS 30416:2023 Menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace Awareness Training Course, please visit, here.
For more information, or to read the report in full, please visit: Lifting the Second Glass Ceiling
For more information the menstruation, menstrual health, and menopause in the workplace standard, please visit: BS 30416