To mark the World Menopause Day, Standard Chartered has initiated a brand-new guidance policy for the bank workers to ensure support to them during the time of menopause. The bank has aimed to create a more inclusive work environment by acknowledging the fact that effects of menopause can be an issue in the workplace.
According to sources, the bank has taken up the responsibility to support its colleagues by revamping its existing health and well-being policy. It aims to support a total of 85,000 employees spread across 59 global markets including Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and America.
As per speculations, the key additions in the policy include a specialist guide for employees to enhance awareness about menopause along with providing adjustable working options to the colleagues to help them in the managing the symptoms of menopause.
Additionally, the Banks Employee Assistance Programme provides menopause counselling and the Employee Resource Groups facilitate peer-to-peer support as part of the new key features added in the policy.
In context to the report published by the bank regarding effects of menopause in the workplace, it was revealed that women’s experience of menopause impact the confidence in performing duties in financial services. The report by Financial Services Skills Commission suggests that the absence of support by fellow employees and lack of awareness regarding menopause has resulted in slow growth of women and more resignations.
Millicent Clarke, HR Regional Head at Standard Chartered Africa and Middle East reportedly stated that the stigma around menopause should be dissolved and institutions should normalize conversations regarding the same. She suggested that to boost the growth opportunity for women, the fellow employees need to be supportive of women going through this phase.
For the first time in history, Standard Chartered has been positioned as the World’s Best Employer in Forbes 2021 and featured in HERoes Women Role Model List 2021 repeatedly for the fifth time.
Source credit:- https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1800277-us-to-buy-14-mln-more-courses-of-mercks-covid-19-pill