Nationwide gym chain The Gym Group has achieved menopause-friendly employer accreditation as part of its commitment to comprehensive wellbeing and care for its 2,040 employees.
Set up by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, the menopause-friendly accreditation offers standards for employers on best practices and support around menopause in UK workplaces.
To become accredited, employers are assessed by an independent panel across the areas of culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities, and evaluation. They must demonstrate how they engage their teams in conversations and awareness of the condition at work, and how this positively impacts employees.
The Gym Group received accreditation as a result of its Female Health First programme in partnership with The Well HQ, which equips trainers and fitness instructors with the knowledge to support female members at different life stages, to help foster a welcoming gym environment.
It also set up a menopause hub and employee network group to support with women’s health concerns, to further break the stigma around the condition through ongoing awareness and communication.
The group additionally implemented new family-friendly policies for fertility treatment leave, neonatal care leave, carers’ leave and pregnancy loss.
Ruth Jackson, chief people officer at The Gym Group, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved this significant accreditation and to be recognised as a menopause-friendly employer. This accreditation is a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace and recognises our commitment to creating a working environment where every employee feels supported and valued. At The Gym Group, fostering an inclusive and open workplace will always be a priority for us, and we will continue championing these values into 2024.”