Kate James’ journey to creating a menopause-friendly workplace at Lloyds Banking Group

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Hear from Kate James, Lloyds Banking Group, on how she has supports colleagues using her own experience of early menopause.

Kate James’ journey to creating a menopause-friendly workplace at Lloyds Banking Group started when she set up a menopause support group for colleagues back in 2016 after she experienced an early menopause. She also helped design and launch the Group’s Menopause Proposition in 2021.

Kate said, “We want to encourage all our colleague’s experiencing menopause to stay within the business and we’re doing that by providing medical care, wellbeing support and flexibility to those who need it, as well as training to empower all our people to be more informed and comfortable talking about menopause, removing stigma so no one feels embarrassed or ashamed.

But it’s also really important for us to be a menopause-friendly employer. That way we can attract new talent into the business as well.

Menopause education, information and support can help improve employee satisfaction and retention, and in doing so create a culture of inclusivity within your organisation where everyone can thrive.”

Lloyds Banking Group supports colleagues, as an accredited Menopause Friendly Employer through it’s Menopause Promise which

  • Provides access to medical care, wellbeing support and flexibility when it’s needed.
  • Aims to break the taboo around the menopause so that all colleagues feel comfortable discussing it and how their experiences may be affecting them.
  • Provide education and training to everyone to allow them to engage in meaningful conversation and support the ‘normalisation’ of the topic.

In practice this means colleagues have access to:

  • A dedicated Menopause Hub with extensive information and resources
  • Expert-led virtual events on diverse menopause experiences
  • A virtual support community which includes a coffee club, podcasts and drop-in sessions – so no colleague feels alone
  • Online eLearning module
  • Practical support such as cooling products and uniform adjustments for branch colleagues
  • Workplace adjustments guidance
  • Access to Bupa Menopause Plan and 24/7 nurse helpline
  • ‘Menopause on the Road’ roadshow events across the UK