Men are to be honoured for their support to female colleagues struggling through debilitating menopause symptoms at an awards ceremony next month.
The Menopause Workplace Excellence Awards has introduced a new ‘Male Allyship’ award to recognise men who are actively championing menopause in the workplace.
The awards, organised by Menopause Hub Academy and Great Place to Work, rate organisations that strive to create menopause inclusive workplaces.
Irish Life Health has also come on board as headline sponsor for the ceremony, to be staged on October 10 in Dublin's Royal College of Physicians. Businesses across Ireland have been submitting entries ahead of the September 12 closing date and will be judged by a panel of experts, including Oonagh O'Hagan, owner and managing director of Meaghers Pharmacy and businesswoman, broadcaster and Dragons’ Den star, Norah Casey.
Winners at last year’s inaugural awards included Lidl Ireland, Tallaght University Hospital and Kellanova.
"All women will experience menopause, which is 50 per cent of the population, and the other 50 per cent may be impacted directly or indirectly,” said CEO and founder of Menopause Hub Academy, Loretta Dignam.
"We also know that up to 10% of menopausal women leave work due to their symptoms and that over one-third consider leaving their job due to symptoms, which is an economic cost to women and employers. “Menopause cannot therefore only be a women's issue and women's conversation, we need to engage men too, personally and professionally.
"This new Male Allyship Award recognises those men who are actively and visibly championing menopause in their workplace.
“We are also delighted to welcome the backing of Irish Life Health as our headline sponsor for the 2024 Awards. “This is a perfect strategic fit as Irish Life Health is leading the way in women’s health and is the first health insurer to give their members direct access to specialist female health GPs for in-depth video consultations, from anywhere.”
The Menopause Hub is Ireland's first dedicated clinic devoted to treating menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, and has clinics in Mount Merrion, South Dublin, Santry, North Dublin and Ballincollig, Co Cork.
The clinics have treated more than 10,000 women since opening in 2019.
Any business wishing to enter the Menopause Workplace Awards 2024 before September 12 can do so at: https://www.menopausehubacademy.com/awards
