Helen Hodgkinson

The firm, with a well-established office in Belfast, announced the new measures on International Women’s Day 2023 and said they would help to reach its ambition of having a 33 per cent female partnership by 2025.

Staff will be able to access a new menopause assessment and diagnosis service, launched in partnership with health provider Bupa, from 1 May.

A menopause toolkit has been introduced for line managers to enable discussion and educate about menopause including understanding any changes in working conditions staff may need as a result of their assessment and diagnosis.

TLT is also introducing additional sources of support, including a ‘menopause champion network’ available to staff, providing guidance on conversations with line managers and required workplace adjustments, and providing and encouraging the use of Peppy, a digital menopause support service.

Helen Hodgkinson, chief people officer at TLT, said: “Developing our approach to meet the needs of our employees going through the menopause forms a huge part of our commitment to creating a people first culture.

“Menopause will touch all our employees at some point, whether that’s through a family member, friend, colleague, or personal lived experience. It’s important that we educate about the potential challenges menopause presents and empower our people to have conversations and exercise control around creating the most inclusive environment for them.

“The enhancements to our policy will go hand-in-hand with other progressive initiatives we have introduced in the last twelve months, including a fully flexible approach to working (TLT World) and an improved family-friendly benefits package.

“We hope the new initiatives will help our people diagnose the menopause, get the medical help they may need and provide the support and guidance needed during this period to perform at their best.”

Katy Neep, gender equality director at Business In The Community (BITC), said: “BITC welcomes all employers taking an inclusive and supportive approach to menopause. It’s a unique experience that can have significant and lasting impact on employee wellbeing.

“By creating a comprehensive package of care to enable people in menopause transition to be at their best is good, inclusive practice that will help retain talent within your organisation.”