Menopause-friendly fire brigade recognised

Hayley Douglas and Matthew Warren said they were "proud" of the awards

A fire service has been recognised with two awards for its support for staff who are going through the menopause.

The Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards aimed to celebrate organisations and individuals who have succeeded in providing support, solutions and resources that normalise menopause in the workplace.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service won "Most Menopause Friendly Working Environment (Public Sector)" for making real and practical changes to inform others about what colleagues go through.

Hayley Douglas, from the fire service, said menopause could now be discussed openly at work "without embarrassment or fear of being treated differently".

The fire service was also given a Highly Commended certificate in the "Menopause Friendly Accredited Employer of the Year" category.

The service introduced mandatory awareness training for all colleagues, risk assessments to support workplace adjustments, updated guidance on menopause, and put up posters promoting common symptoms.

It ensured period protection packs were available in all toilet cubicles, and on fire engines.

'Brain fog'

Ms Douglas, assistant director for communication and engagement and the service's menopause champion, was individually recognised with the "Carolyn Lazarus Award for Best Individual Contribution".

The award is a special accolade given to an individual who has made a significant impact on changing the way people think and feel about menopause in or out of the workplace.

Ms Douglas said: "For the service to win Most Menopause Friendly Working Environment is thanks to all those who have provided feedback, shared their stories to help us understand what we can do better to support those going through menopause and engage so openly and enthusiastically in the menopause awareness training we ran.

"Our workplace is now somewhere that conversations about menopause and the impact of symptoms can be had without embarrassment or fear of being treated differently."

Previously, firefighter Sonya Bourne praised the fire service for giving employees an appreciation of what women go through during menopause.

The 48-year-old from Kettering, Northamptonshire, said working with symptoms like brain fog, fatigue and feeling hot had been "really daunting", adding that being supported meant she was able to continue working in the job she loves.

Sonya Bourne said she appreciated menopause training in a job that was predominantly male

Cambridgeshire chief fire officer Matthew Warren said: "The work that Hayley has done over the past few years to improve our support for those going through menopause and make the subject of menopause in our workplace something that everyone feels more comfortable to speak openly about is amazing.

"Feedback from colleagues has been extremely positive about the impact the work is having and the reassurance it is offering."