- Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council – the North Yorkshire local authority joins five other local authorities which have already made this commitment.
- Greater Anglia, a rail operator running trains between London and the East of England region
- Unite the Union, one of the largest trade unions in the UK
- Aston University, which is based in Birmingham
- RLB (Rider Levett Bucknall), a UK-based global quantity surveyor, construction and property consultancy
- Missoma, an independent jewellery brand with a focus on sustainability and ethical business
Cllr Ursula Earl, Cabinet Member for Health, Welfare, and Housing, said: "By joining the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme, we show our commitment to breaking down stigma and ensuring that those living with this condition feel supported at work. Endometriosis affects so many people, yet it is still under-recognised and often misunderstood. I’m proud that Redcar and Cleveland Council is taking this important step, and I hope it encourages more organisations to do the same."
Cllr Ceri Cawley, Deputy Mayor for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, is hoping to establish a support group in the borough, and is campaigning for other employers to become Endometriosis Friendly Employers. She said: "As someone who lives with endometriosis, I know first-hand the impact this condition can have on every aspect of life, including work. I remember lying in the bath in absolute agony and decided to look for support groups in the area. I couldn’t find a local group but did find Endometriosis UK. For years, I was forever going to the doctors only to be told it was IBS or a heavy period. I was told all sorts of reasons for this pain, all of them wrong. It needs to be talked about more.”
Aneesha Patel-Sadler, Organisational Development Business Partner and an Endometriosis Champion at Aston University, says: "Endometriosis is often misunderstood in the workplace. Becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer and appointing Champions has shown us how important this issue is and how much Aston cares. We’re proud to take steps to break down stigma and ensure colleagues feel supported, heard, and empowered."
Ji Ying Ho, People and Culture Assistant at Missoma: “As an Endometriosis Champion, I’m excited to help create a safer workplace and to offer compassionate, practical support to those who need it, enabling women to feel truly empowered at work.”
These employers have signalled their intention to improve support for those with endometriosis in their workforce, as well as breaking down taboos and stigmas around menstrual health.
A recent report from Endometriosis UK and the HR software provider Ciphr, which is itself an EFE, showed that just 13% of HR professionals feel that their staff have the right resources and training to support colleagues with endometriosis. As part of the scheme, the employers appoint Endometriosis Champions, who will receive training from Endometriosis UK, to enable them to provide support and information to colleagues.
Learn more about our Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme here.
