Menopause and Mental Health Matters
This month has seen the world come together to shed light on two very important awareness days: World Mental Health Day on 10th October and World Menopause Day on 18th October.
Mental Health Awareness & Wellbeing in the Workplace
Over the past few years, BRI has put several measures in place to ensure that staff feel confident about raising any mental health issues they may have, and that there are ample resources available if needed. These include: a new Mental Health policy, a newly created breakout room to encourage time away from desks and screen time, a Wellbeing Committee with Employee Wellbeing Champions, several Mental Health First Aiders, and an Employee Assistance Programme which provides virtual doctors, support, counselling and more. In this post-COVID world, we have also adopted a hybrid working arrangement, with the aim of helping staff to maintain a greater work-life balance.
#MenopauseWorkplacePledge
A member of staff recently volunteered to take on the role of Menopause Champion for all staff here at BRI. This role is crucial given the 51% vs: 49% male/female gender composition of the company and involves providing information on menopause, and ensuring that staff and management have a better understanding of the symptoms and can signpost support. Employees or their spouses can also access a free menopause consultation with a BUPA specialist.
Information shared to date includes menopausal symptoms, its link to insomnia, and key statistics and insights from Menopause in the Workplace: Impact on Women in Financial Services. All these resources have been shared with staff members across all facets of the business; this is because we recognise the importance of educating both male colleagues and our younger female staff members who are yet to experience this phase of life.
As part of our commitment to this, we have signed the official Menopause Workplace Pledge in partnership with Hello! magazine and supported by BUPA.
“We pledge to support our employees going through menopause in the workplace.”
As research, information and awareness on these issues evolve over time, we hope to adapt with these changes and successfully navigate this space and continue to educate, inform and support our staff.
