Manchester City Council recognised as a Menopause Friendly Employer

Manchester City Council has been recognised as a Menopause Friendly Employer by Menopause Friendly UK, after meeting strict standards for supporting staff through menopause. 

Over the last three years, the council brought in policies, training and resources to help employees feel understood and supported. 

Manchester City Council is now the first Greater Manchester Combined Authority to get Menopause Friendly Accreditation.

Actions taken included male colleagues sharing experiences, a ‘menopause and me’ peer group, and measures like flexible working, menopause-specific CBT and workplace adjustments. 

Staff engagement covered LinkedIn campaigns and internal forums. 

More than 2,500 staff completed menopause awareness training and hundreds joined learning sessions.

Councillor Becky Chambers, Deputy Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care, said: “We know that there is a stigma around talking about the menopause and becoming an accredited menopause friendly employer is a commitment to people working in Manchester City Council that they are seen, they are understood and we have a workplace culture that makes sure managers and leaders are equipped to support them.

“There should be no taboo about the menopause and women should feel able to ask for help in their own workplace.