The Women’s Wellness in the Workplace Commitment has a clear purpose; to ensure women feel supported in an inclusive environment where women’s wellness is understood and valued. By committing to understanding women’s wellness, employers are creating a place where women can thrive and are treated with compassion.
“Too many highly qualified and incredible women are walking away from their careers as they are not being supported around their ageing and their health. It matters as over 50% of the population are naturally transitioning through their life span and their health has an impact on the economy. Not to mention families and health pressures.”
Helen Tite – Founder, iCareiMove
What is the Women’s Wellness Commitment?
The Women’s Wellness at Work Commitment is more than a pledge, it is a promise made by employers to their workforce that they understand the challenges associated with all areas of women’s wellness and believe that through educating and raising awareness of these challenges, women will experience a more equal and inclusive career journey. There are three pathways for your team members to follow and, depending on their role within the organisation and the level of understanding and support they will offer, they can become Champions (all staff will undertake this programme, regardless of job role), Advocates or Ambassadors for Women’s Wellness in the Workplace.
Champion
- A healthy lifestyle approach including sleep, exercise, nutrition, mindfulness and rest.
- Mental health in relation to stress, anxiety and depression in menopause.
- Upskilling around soft skills, resilience, emotional intelligence.
- Women’s health concerns including symptoms from pre, peri to post menopause.
- Period pain, raising a family, fertility, women facing menopause, menopause and endometriosis support, concerns about their health impacting on their careers.
- Positive language and inclusive culture.
- Greater awareness among managers regarding the menopause as a real occupational health issue.
- Creation of a culture where women feel comfortable about discussing their symptoms and what impact that has on their working lives.
- Supportive work colleagues.
Advocate
- Target and upskill all managers in women’s health so they are confidently equipped to have, for example, a back to work meeting after sickness absence.
- Management of symptoms, support, signposting and actioning appropriate services for optimum treatment.
- Facilitate vulnerable conversations helping women to have a great work life balance and healthy relationships within their teams, and employment roles.
- Maintain an open attitude of caring, respect, compassion and kindness.
Ambassador
- Create a healthy approach to women ageing in the workforce, including succession planning, reasonable adjustments.
- Help to create a space within the organisation providing to access to appropriate support services with regards to health and wellbeing.
- Support group lead.
- Create internal charter.
- Risk assessment.
- Options around flexible working hours and working arrangements to help manage symptoms.
- Assessment of workplace to ensure an environment with the appropriate temperature and ventilation.
- Reasonable adjustment options, including signposting to medical support, counselling/psychological therapies, and lifestyle support.