The following organisations have pledged their commitment to creating supportive workplaces for employees with endometriosis by becoming Endometriosis Friendly Employers.
- The Yorkshire Ambulance Service, which is one of the largest ambulances services in the UK with 7,000 staff
- The Welsh Ambulance Service, which has 4,000 staff working across Wales
- NHS Shetland, the NHS trust for the northernmost region of the UK
- Merseyrail, the operator of rail services in Liverpool and surrounding areas
- Azets UK, an international accounting firm with nearly 4,000 UK staff
- The Bar Standards Board, which is a regulator responsible for barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales
- University College Birmingham, which has 10,000 students studying a range of courses for undergraduates, postgraduates and apprentices
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise, a US-headquartered tech firm with 3,000 people in the UK
- ACT, with its sister company ALS, which is Wales' largest training provider of work-based learning and apprenticeships
- Upper Canada UK, the UK arm of a global bath, beauty and wellness brand
- Umpf, a PR, social media and influencer marketing agency based in Leeds and London
- Spen Valley High School, a secondary school in West Yorkshire
- Oliver's Fish & Chips, a restaurant and takeaway in Redcar, North Yorkshire
Francesca Laurenson Occupational Health Advisor at NHS Shetland, and its Endometriosis Champion, says: “We’re delighted to join the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme. Our aim will be to gain a better understanding of how this condition can affect an individual’s health and well-being and how we can best support them in the workplace. We aim to educate both managers and employees about endometriosis while also addressing the general taboos surrounding menstrual health. By doing so, we hope to encourage those who are suffering to seek advice and support. We look forward to working with Endometriosis UK, and hope that we’ll inspire others in Scotland and Shetland to join the scheme as well.”
James Smith, HR Director at Merseyrail, says: “We’re really proud to have committed to being an Endometriosis Friendly Employer. It’s an important step in making sure every colleague feels understood, supported and able to thrive at work. Endometriosis can have a huge impact on people’s day‑to‑day lives, and by making this pledge we’re showing that no one should ever have to struggle in silence. This forms part of our wider ambition to build a culture rooted in care, openness and practical support, one that helps make Merseyrail a truly great place to work.”
Kathryn Cobley, Head of Inclusion and Engagement at the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, says: “Endometriosis can have a profound impact on daily life, yet it is often misunderstood or not talked about openly. By signing up to the Endometriosis UK scheme, we’re committing to breaking down taboos around menstrual health, raising awareness and ensuring colleagues affected by the condition feel listened to and supported in a meaningful way. Becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer is an important step in making sure our people feel understood, supported and able to thrive at work.”
Damien Russell, People Director - UK & Ireland at Azets, says: "Becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer is an important step in creating a workplace where people feel understood, supported, and able to perform at their best. By raising awareness and building our network, we're helping colleagues feel confident to have open conversations and access they support they need."
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 report last year 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.
