// John Lewis Partnership awarded Menopause Friendly Employer accreditation
// The UK’s largest employee-owned business employs over 42,000 women
John Lewis Partnership has been awarded the Menopause Friendly Employer accreditation for “creating an inclusive culture” to discuss menopause and support staff.
With menopause being a taboo subject in society, John Lewis said it wants to create a level playing field, so that the menopause doesn’t hold women back at an age when many are at the peak of their career.
“To achieve this we’re creating an environment in which women and their managers feel comfortable talking about it, so that we can offer support,” John Lewis said.
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The John Lewis Partnership, which is the UK’s largest employee-owned business, employs over 42,000 women.
Commenting on her own experience, Lene Wood, a Partner at John Lewis’ Kingston store said: “I began to notice a huge change in how I was feeling in my mid 50s, and thought that other Partners might be going through similar, so I started a monthly ‘#HotFlushChat’. It was a support space where Partners affected by the menopause could come and speak openly about how they were feeling and share helpful tips.
“It’s great to see that the business is doing so much to support those affected by the menopause, including an informative menopause site, health practioners to talk to and a flexible policy to support and retain Partners.”
John Lewis has introduced a package of support for Partners at all stages of the menopause. This includes: guidance for managers, nutrition and health information and advice, access to free mental health support and support from our in-house occupational health and wellbeing team.
It has also updated our policies on flexible working and taking time off work with dedicated support available to Partners experiencing the menopause.
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