Menopause Friendly Employer Awards recognize UK workplace support

The 2026 Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards have recognized several organizations for implementing workplace support systems. The awards come ahead of upcoming requirements for mandatory Menopause Action Plans for employers with more than 250 staff members.

Key winners include Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service for the Public Sector category and ScottishPower for the Private Sector category. Simplyhealth received the Best Trained Workforce (Menopause) award for its capability programme, which includes mandatory learning and expert-led education developed through colleague feedback.

Other recognized organizations include AMEX GBT, QVCUK, Manchester City Council, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and South Yorkshire Integrated Care System. Research from Simplyhealth indicates that menopause and perimenopause present significant challenges in the UK workforce, noting that employees experiencing these symptoms work an average of 7.6 days per year while unwell, compared to five days for the wider workforce.