South Lanarkshire Council has introduced updated policies to support female employees.
Councillors at Wednesday's full council meeting (November 7), approved plans to introduce measures for the council to become a menopause-friendly employer and gain an accredited status, to support the Time to Test campaign and to introduce policies to support female employees on menstruation.
The council seeks to support all employees’ wellbeing regardless of gender. But with females making up just over 74 per cent of the workforce, there are key health areas the council wishes to provide additional support and guidance on.
The policies which were approved raise awareness of these health areas and remove any stigma or taboo attached.
Councillor Lesley McDonald (Larkhall) welcomed the plans, and said: “The administration welcomes this report, underlining our ambition to make this council a more progressive, inclusive employer. I’m delighted, as we all are, that we’ll work to become a menopause-friendly employer and gaining accredited service as well as supporting and signing up to the Time to Test campaign, these are all very important issues.”
Firstly, plans were approved for the council to become a member of Menopause Friendly which recognises the council as ‘Committed to being a Menopause Friendly Employer’,
Membership would help towards achieving and maintaining accreditation and would provide support and resources to do this.
Benefits of signing up to this would help the council support employees through their menopause journey. Of the 74 per cent of female employees, 55 per cent are over the age of 45 and this group are likely to be at various stages of menopause.
As well as signing up to Menopause Friendly, the council have also developed a menopause policy to provide educational information and useful links for employees to access further support.
The council is also working to raise awareness and remove the stigma associated with menstruation. A motion proposed in September by Councillor Julia Marrs (Clydesdale North) and Councillor Mary Donnelly (Hamilton West and Earnock) asked the council to look at the feasibility of introducing measures to support female employees during menstruation.
The council will launch research, in partnership with the University of Glasgow to inform the future policy on menstruation. This will include an NHS survey asking participants what would be helpful to them in managing menstrual health at work.
A document, similar to the menopause approach, will be produced to assist employees to feel supported and provide information and guide managers on how to provide the appropriate help.
Councillor Mary Donnelly asked if the council will adopt an approach in education, and said: “Myself and my colleague actually moved on menstruation at schools and that has been omitted from this paper, and I would like that to be included in the paper.
“I did speak at schools and parent councils and head teachers were absolutely over the moon that we had entertained this policy and they saw that as very helpful for the schools going forward, so if that could be included, I’d really appreciate that.”
Council officers confirmed that education services are in the process of drafting a document which would outline the support for staff and pupils in schools. This should be expected in the coming months.
Councillor Julia Marrs welcomed the plans to introduce policies in education, and she said: “I very much welcome this paper and also support my colleagues on those comments. I’m pleased to hear young people and school staff will be included in this policy and a separate briefing will come forward.”
The council will also raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening and encourage the female workforce to attend their cervical screening appointments. This will be done through the council using the Time to Test Campaign through Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
Signing up to the Time to Test can benefit employees as it would demonstrate that the council views employee’s health is important, show the council’s commitment to cervical cancer awareness and promote a culture that empowers, values and supports employees looking after their health and help reduce the stigma around cancer.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
