October 9, 2026

Prestigious 2026 Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards open for entries

admin May 29, 2026
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, joint public sector winner of 2025 Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year Award CREDIT Chrissie Brooks

Entries are now open for the fifth annual Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards which will take place on Wednesday September 16, 2026. Celebrating the action, impact and leadership of trailblazing employers and brave individuals driving cultural change, the Awards will be presented as part of a day of knowledge sharing and networking hosted by three menopause friendly accredited employers:

  • HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank in London
  • Boots and No 7 Beauty Company in Nottingham
  • Rathbones in Liverpool

Established by Henpicked the prestigious 2026 Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards will be judged by an independent panel. They will be looking for organisations and individuals who have gone above and beyond to create positive change in their workplace culture. Winners will be chosen from those who can share evidence and impact of the difference they have made by normalising and supporting menopause and menstruation in the workplace.

As well as recognising and celebrating employers leading change for menopause and menstruation, the Awards raise vital funds for menopause and menstruation related charities, programmes and research. This year’s ticket sales and sponsorship aim to bring the total so far raised to £250,000.

Open to all Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Members, the following eight categories are open to organisations plus the Carolyn Lazarus Award for Best Individual Contribution that recognises exemplary individuals.

Menopause Friendly Employer Awards

Menopause Friendly Accredited Employer of the Year Award

  • Recognising an accredited organisation that has truly embedded menopause awareness, education and support into its workplace culture.

Most Open Culture

  • Awarded to an organisation where menopause is spoken about openly, with strong leadership and a culture that encourages conversation and understanding.

Most Menopause Friendly Environment

  • Celebrating an organisation that has made real, practical changes to its workplace environment to support colleagues experiencing menopause.

Best Engagement Campaign

  • Awarding an organisation that has delivered a brilliant campaign to raise awareness, spark conversations and encourage greater understanding of menopause in the workplace.

Best Support Group

  • Celebrating an organisation that has built a strong network where colleagues support each other, helping to create a culture of care and understanding.

Best Trained Workforce

  • Recognising an organisation that has invested in training to ensure employees and managers have the knowledge, skills and confidence to support colleagues experiencing menopause.

Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards

Most Supportive Workplace

  • Recognising an organisation that has taken a thoughtful, well-rounded approach to supporting menstruation and menstrual health at work by considering culture, policies and practices, training, workplace support and employee engagement..

Most Open Culture

  • Awarded to an organisation where menstruation and menstrual health are spoken about openly, with visible leadership and a culture that encourages respectful conversation and helps break down stigma.

Carolyn Lazarus Award for Best Individual Contribution

  • Recognising an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to improving awareness, understanding and support for menopause and menstruation in the workplace.

“Once again this year, we have witnessed some incredible employers and individuals break down barriers and drive cultural change to achieve a menopause and menstruation friendly workplace environment,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked. “Our Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Event will bring together like-minded organisations to share best practice, pool ideas and provide support. Central to this inspirational and interactive day are the Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards that celebrate organisations, employee support groups and individuals whose actions truly set them apart.”

Alongside the host sponsors HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank, Boots & No 7 Beauty Company and Rathbones are AtkinsRealis, BAE Systems, Mars UK, Ninja Theory and Vitabiotics/Menopace.

Entries are open here and will close at midnight on July 31, 2026. Finalists will be announced on September 1, 2026 and the winners revealed at the Awards on September 16, 2026.