Law firm TLT has introduced enhanced menopause support for its workforce as part of an inclusive working approach, and to celebrate International Women’s Day (9 March 2023).
The support includes free menopause testing for all female employees, and access to a menopause assessment and diagnosis service, in partnership with health provider Bupa. Available to staff from 1 May, it will allow them to book an appointment with a specialist doctor and receive a treatment plan tailored to their needs.
TLT also introduced a menopause toolkit for line managers, to enable discussion and educate about the menopause, including understanding any changes in working conditions as a result of assessments and diagnoses. A menopause champion network was launched to provide guidance on conversations with line managers and required workplace adjustments, as well as a digital menopause support service through the provider Peppy.
According to the firm, the revamped approach recognised that menopause is a natural stage of any woman’s career, and that when combined with its approach to flexibility, employees can be in control of how and when they work, while managing any menopause-related challenges.
Helen Hodgkinson, chief people officer at TLT, said: “Developing our approach to meet the needs of our employees going through the menopause forms a huge part of our commitment to creating a people first culture. It’s important that we educate about the potential challenges menopause presents and empower our people to have conversations and exercise control around creating the most inclusive environment for them.
“The enhancements to our policy will go hand-in-hand with other progressive initiatives we have introduced in the last twelve months, including a fully flexible approach to working and an improved family-friendly benefits package. We hope the new initiatives will help our people diagnose the menopause, get the medical help they may need and provide the support and guidance needed during this period to perform at their best.”