Dear Sir Keir Starmer,

Congratulations on your victory in the UK general election. The Labour Government represents not only a significant political shift but also a moment of hope for women in the workplace. Your inclusive manifesto, which promises to place “Women’s equality at the heart of our missions,” is a commendable and necessary commitment to fostering a fairer society.

The overarching promise to create a society “Where you can go to work and know you will be treated with dignity and respect” is particularly encouraging. This vision aligns with the values and mission we strive for at Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace and through our Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Our commitment has always been to support women at work, ensuring that they receive the respect, accommodations, and understanding they deserve.

I welcome the ambitions of your new government. I am optimistic that this change in leadership will bring fresh energy and impetus to supporting women in the workplace. Your aims, though ambitious, are wholly achievable by building on the existing work from a number of experienced training providers and consultants. Employers with active policies and reasonable adjustments in place provide a solid foundation upon which to build.

We have been dedicated to this cause for eight years, working with thousands of organisations. Our team’s expertise has influenced policies and best practices, supported by evidence provided to the Women and Equalities Committee, and in collaboration with respected bodies like CIPD and BSI. The collective experience from our 500-strong Menopause Friendly membership, including multi-national corporations, major banking groups, high street retailers, charities, NHS trusts, and local councils, stands ready to support your government’s initiatives for employers to be menopause friendly.

While menopause in the workplace is a crucial focus, it’s equally important to address the need for Menstruation Friendly workplaces. The BSI’s guidance (BS30416) underscores the importance of making workplace changes. It is vital for organisations to support their female talent pipeline from entry-level to board-level, given the challenges and taboos surrounding menstruation.

There are compelling business reasons for employers to embrace equity and inclusivity. Menopause and menstruation-friendly workplaces are better positioned to attract, recruit, and retain top talent, reduce absenteeism, and increase productivity. Numerous organisations have seen financial benefits by being proactive about gender equity and making reasonable adjustments.

The new Government has set ambitious targets for championing and supporting women in the workplace. However, with a wealth of expertise, insight, and proven successful practices available among UK businesses, I believe these ambitions are achievable. The Government has an incredible opportunity to draw on these resources, share expertise, and pool knowledge to help organisations form policies, implement adjustments, and find solutions to empower individuals to realise their career potential.

Once again, congratulations on your election victory. I look forward to the positive changes on the working lives of women across the UK.

Yours sincerely,

Deborah Garlick
CEO and Founder
Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace
Menopause Friendly Accreditation