Employers move menopause support from awareness to workplace action

Winners of this year’s Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards have been announced – and the companies recognised suggest that UK employers are moving beyond menopause awareness towards more measurable changes in workplace culture, training and employee support. The awards recognise employers across the public and private sectors for approaches ranging from workforce training and peer support to engagement campaigns and changes to the working environment.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service was named Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year in the public sector, while ScottishPower took the private sector title.

Now in their fifth year, the awards were judged by an independent panel of industry experts, with organisations required to provide evidence of impact and meaningful workplace change.

The results come at a significant point for workplace menopause support. According to Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, which runs the awards, employers with more than 250 staff are preparing for mandatory Menopause Action Plans from next spring, following the current voluntary year.

Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, said: “This year’s award-winning body of work arrives at a critical moment, as employers prepare for mandatory Menopause Action Plans and have the opportunity to act now during the voluntary year.

“The Employment Rights Act 2025 brings a sharp focus to workplace responsibilities and a growing recognition of menopause as a core part of employee wellbeing.

“The impact of the menopause and menstruation friendly work celebrated at our Awards shows just how far workplace support has come. Employers are moving beyond raising awareness to creating real, measurable change and building cultures where people feel understood, supported and able to thrive. 

“What makes these Awards so powerful is that the learning doesn’t stop with the winners. We share what works through our training, events and resources so other employers can learn from shared experience, move faster and create meaningful change of their own.”

For the UK workplace wellbeing sector, that shift from awareness to implementation is important.

Menopause support has become increasingly visible within employee wellbeing strategies, but the award categories demonstrate the breadth of action required if support is to become embedded in everyday working life.

Training can help managers and colleagues understand the issue; employee support groups can provide peer connection; engagement campaigns can encourage conversations; and changes to workplace environments and practices can help employees manage symptoms at work.

The inclusion of dedicated Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards also broadens the conversation beyond menopause towards how employers approach menstrual and reproductive health throughout working life.

More than 300 delegates attended the awards on 16 September, with simultaneous events hosted in London, Nottingham and Liverpool by menopause friendly accredited organisations HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank, Boots UK and No7 Beauty Company, and Rathbones.

The awards also raise money for menopause and menstruation-related charities and research. Organisers said the cumulative total raised has now reached £250,000.

For employers considering their own approach, the 2026 results provide examples of how workplace support is developing beyond policies or awareness days towards training, culture, practical support and working environments.

2026 Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards results

Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year

Public Sector – Winner: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Private Sector – Winner: ScottishPower

Highly Commended:
AtkinsRéalis
HF Limited
Northumbria Police
Manchester City Council

Most Open Culture

Winner: AMEX GBT

Highly Commended:
BAE Systems
DHU Healthcare CIC

Most Menopause Friendly Environment

Joint Winners:
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
QVCUK

Best Engagement Campaign

Winner: South Yorkshire Integrated Care System

Highly Commended:
Boots Opticians
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Best Trained Workforce

Winner: Simplyhealth

Highly Commended:
Leicestershire County Council

Best Support Group

Winner: Manchester City Council

Highly Commended:
BAE Systems
British Airways

The Carolyn Lazarus Award for outstanding individual contribution

Joint Winners:
Brigitte Kaviani – South Yorkshire Integrated Care System
Helen Gaier-Laidlaw – ScottishPower
Jackie Williams – HSBC UK

Menstruation Friendly Employer Award winners

Most Open Culture

Winner: Fletchers Solicitors

Most Supportive Workplace

Winner: Ninja Theory