What Does Menopause Friendly Really Mean at Cera?
At Cera, our carers are at the heart of everything we do. We have always believed in the ethos of “we care for you, as you care for them” and the happiness and health of our workforce is a huge part of that. With this in mind, knowing that you support your communities through every stage of life, it is only right that we support you through yours.
That is why we are incredibly proud to announce that Cera has officially achieved the Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Whilst over 600 employers have pledged their commitment to being "menopause friendly," only a select few have met the rigorous criteria required to earn the full, formal accreditation. This achievement marks a major milestone in our mission to be a progressive, inclusive leader in the care sector.
Why does this matter?
The social care sector is powered by incredible women. Statistics show that menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the UK workforce. However, many feel forced to leave roles or reduce hours, simply because they don’t feel supported during this transition.
According to The Fawcett Society, 1 in 10 women have left their jobs due to menopause symptoms. We are passionate about being different and ensuring we do everything we can to retain skilled workers during this time in their lives.
With 82% of our colleagues identifying as female, the health and wellbeing of this demographic is essential to our success. Roughly 1 in 4 Cera employees (25.6%) are currently in the age bracket most commonly associated with menopause.
By providing an accredited, "Menopause Friendly" environment, we aren't just following a policy. We are ensuring that over a quarter of our workforce feels seen, supported, and empowered to continue their career with us.
What is the Menopause Friendly Accreditation?
The Menopause Friendly Accreditation was established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace in 2021 to certify high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.
Industry recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met, the Menopause Friendly Accreditation is truly meaningful and considered as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.
How did we achieve this?
To earn this accreditation, we didn't just sign a pledge - we changed how we work. We were assessed by an Independent Panel and had to demonstrate evidence of effectiveness in five key areas: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment.
So what did this look like?
Culture
Key for this was creating an environment where menopause can be spoken about openly without stigma. We want people experiencing menopause to feel confident that they can speak to anyone within Cera, and feel understood and supported.
Policies and practices
This was more than just updating our guidelines, but ensuring all policies recognise the impact of perimenopause and menopause. As every person's experience with menopause is different, it is difficult to establish a fixed set of guidelines, but we offer a range of support options and recommendations that staff can access as needed. These include options to change uniform, flexible working hours and more depending on role.
Training
To promote awareness and education about menopause, all employees are required to complete an e-learning course about menopause and how this could affect them or their colleagues. Providing this training, alongside useful resources and comprehensive guides for our managers, we feel confident everyone is educated on providing the right support or directing people to the right place if needed.
Engagement
Our incredible Menopause Champions and working group regularly come together to find new ways to educate, inspire and continuously improve what we provide. From expert led webinars to regular posts on our intranet, and from detailed resources to dedicated landing pages, we have woven it into all areas of our business. Working environment
We are proud to be able to implement changes that make a real difference to teams' daily working lives. These include practical adjustments such as moving workstations to a cooler area, working from home, or providing a fan.
If someone wears a uniform as part of their role, they can speak to their line manager about adaptations they need to feel more comfortable such as wearing a polo shirt instead of a tunic.
Our feedback included:
"We’re delighted to see the progress Cera Care has made in building a workplace where menopause can be talked about openly and where colleagues feel genuinely supported.
Their application for accreditation showed a clear, organisation-wide commitment – from senior leadership through to their menopause champion network – helping to raise awareness, build confidence and ensure support is available across the business.
It’s encouraging to see menopause being embedded within wider wellbeing and inclusion initiatives with colleagues increasingly engaging in conversations and accessing the support they need.
This is exactly the kind of thoughtful, practical approach that helps create a truly menopause friendly workplace.”
Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace
What does this mean?
For our existing Carers and teams:
If you are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, we want you to know you are supported. You now have access to dedicated resources and a workplace culture that understands your needs. Whether it’s a conversation with your manager about flexible scheduling or accessing health resources, we are committed to helping you thrive in your career.
For those thinking of joining Cera:
We are a progressive, inclusive employer (and have the recognised accreditations to prove it!). We know that experienced carers are the backbone of this industry and supporting them to continue careers through every phase of life is important to us. By being one of very few in this sector to reach this standard, we are sending a clear message: Your wellbeing is our priority. You don’t have to choose between your health and the job you love.
For families and service users working with Cera:
At Cera, we know that when we support our carers, they are able to provide better care for you and your loved ones. The changes we have put in place ensure some of our most experienced staff have the tools they need to stay healthy, stay safe, and feel supported.
We’re committed to being an employer that carers are proud to work for, because a happy, supported workforce provides the continuity of care you deserve. By being a Menopause Friendly Accredited employer, we are protecting the expertise of our people so they can continue to provide you with the highest quality support. We believe everyone benefits from the peace of mind that comes from true care. Whether that is their care for you, or our care for them.
This accreditation is a significant milestone in our mission to strengthen our workplace culture. It reinforces our commitment to employee wellbeing and inclusion, ensuring we remain the best place to work in care.
We are proud to lead the way in the health tech and care sector, proving that a supportive workplace is a stronger workplace. To our wonderful teams, we are with you - every step, every stage, every way!
Find out more about the other benefits of working for us including enhanced parental policies, amazing benefits platform and more here.
Apply to join our team here.
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Cera Training Endorsed by Skills for Care
We are excited to announce that Cera is now formally endorsed as a training provider by Skills for Care.
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