29 June 2022

The UK's largest trade body for the hair & beauty sector has become the latest organisation to sign the Menopause Workplace Pledge.

  • Joining the likes of Tesco, HarperCollins UK, Santander UK, Severn Trent and Bupa, the NHBF has committed to supporting its employees and its Members through menopause by:
  • Recognising that menopause can be a workplace issue and that women require support;
  • Talking openly, positively, and respectfully about the menopause; and
  • Actively supporting and informing its employees and Members who are experiencing menopause.

High-profile supporters of the pledge include Royal Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex, Vice-chairman of West Ham United Baroness Karren Brady and former Countdown host Carol Vorderman, as well as Lord Karan Bilimoria, and MPs Caroline Nokes and Carolyn Harris.

Wellbeing of Women launched the Menopause Workplace Pledge in October 2021, and nearly 1,000 employers have signed up, covering millions of employees across the country. According to Wellbeing of Women, women make up almost half of the UK workforce, but around 900,000 have quit their jobs because of menopause.

Over ten million women in the United Kingdom suffer from negative menopausal symptoms, affecting their brains, skin, and muscles - and their hair, which can significantly impair their confidence and mental and emotional wellbeing. In the United Kingdom, the average age of menopause is 51.

Please read our blog on what you can do to help your menopausal clients in your salon or barbershop.

Richard Lambert, the NHBF CEO, said, "I am delighted that the NHBF has signed the pledge. In our industry, 86% of the workforce are women, with more than a quarter of those over 45 years old. Our recent report on skills and careers in the sector has shown that a skills crisis is emerging, so retaining a skilled workforce is more important than ever. We hope this pledge means employers in the hair & beauty sector can play a key role in helping women manage their health and wellbeing."

If you are an employer looking for more information on how to support your staff going through menopause or are experiencing it yourself, there are a number of useful resources available. You can find general information and support on the Wellbeing of Women Website.

Menopause Support provides private support via telephone and video consultations and bespoke menopause training and support solutions for businesses and organisations. Many free resources are available on their website, as well as details of their closed Facebook group, The Menopause Support Network, led by Diane Danzebrink and supported by six wonderful volunteer moderators.

NHBF Members looking for help on employment matters can call our legal helpline on 01244 687600.

NHBF Members can also download this guide which gives an overview of the Menopause policy for employees.

Want to make a Menopause workplace pledge too? Click here.