Driving inclusion with menopause accreditation

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation was established in 2021 by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace to recognise organisations that demonstrate high standards and proven practices in supporting colleagues experiencing menopause. It is an industry‑recognised accreditation and the only one of its kind with clear, robust standards that employers must meet.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is widely recognised as a “best in class” marker, setting apart organisations that are leading the way through meaningful action rather than intention alone. Achieving this accreditation reflects the progress we have made – and our continued commitment – to supporting colleagues through all life stages.

To achieve the accreditation, we were independently assessed and required to evidence the effectiveness of our approach across five key areas:  Culture, Policies and practices, Training, Engagement, and Working environment.

Our Connected Women employee network and People & Organisation teams have collectively worked hard across these five areas to deliver tangible change. Through the Connected Women Me…no-pause group, we’ve built a strong, supportive community where women can openly share experiences and learn from one another in a safe environment.

A member of the Me...no-pause group said:  "The Me…no-pause group has meant a lot to me in the last few months and it’s difficult to put into words what this means.  After being very apprehensive to join the group, it has been such a relief to hear that many women are experiencing the same or similar.  Listening to experiences and finding support from others, this group has a wealth of information that has helped to give me strength to find a solution for the way forward.”

We now join an elite group of accredited employers, spanning FTSE 100 companies, charities, public sector organisations, global banking groups, retailers and even football clubs. Each proudly displays the accreditation badge as a visible commitment to menopause inclusion and wellbeing.

Sarah Barry, Chief Transformation Officer and Executive Sponsor of Menopause Matters, Aegon UK said: “Aegon UK is proud to be an accredited Menopause Friendly Employer, reinforcing our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.  Our partnership with Henpicked has supported us to tackle menopause inclusion holistically, from the training we provide, to our colleague support and how we break down stigma, to our policies, guidance, healthcare and wellbeing support.  We know that removing these barriers is essential to building a fairer and more inclusive place to work at Aegon UK.”

Deborah Garlick, CEO of Menopause in the Workplace by Henpicked commented: “Achieving Menopause Friendly Accreditation is a fantastic recognition of ScottishPower’s commitment to creating a workplace where menopause can be spoken about openly and supportively. Their work stands out for the way they are normalising conversations in a traditionally male-dominated industry, with strong peer-to-peer support through Me…no-pause, visible senior leadership engagement and menopause now embedded into wider wellbeing, allyship and inclusion activity. This is meaningful, practical progress that is helping to change workplace culture."

We’re proud of this recognition – and we remain committed to continuing the conversation, learning and improvement that menopause inclusion deserves.