Deloitte accredited as first ‘menopause-friendly’ workplace in Australia
Deloitte has become the first organisation in Australia to achieve a new ‘menopause friendly’ workplace rating, demonstrating its commitment to supporting employees experiencing menopause.
The accreditation was issued by Menopause Friendly Australia, an offshoot of a UK-based advocacy and advisory organisation which has now launched locally to bring attention to a subject which is still all-too-often ignored.
Deloitte received the badge following a thorough evaluation of its workplace initiatives across five global standards, deemed to have created a “supportive, inclusive, and accommodating environment” for those contending with the natural process.
“We know that menopause and its symptoms can disrupt the ability of our people to thrive in the workplace,” stated Pip Dexter, who has ushered in several major reforms during her time as Deloitte’s chief people & purpose officer. “Because it has largely been a taboo topic until recently, many women fear that disclosing reproductive health issues may negatively impact their careers.”
Data from Menopause Friendly Australia backs Dexter’s contention, with almost half of the female respondents in a recent survey reporting that they felt uncomfortable disclosing their symptoms due to concerns about any negative perceptions being detrimental to their careers, with one in ten actually deciding to leave their jobs rather than confront the issue with their employer or HR.
“As an employer, we have a responsibility to address these issues,” Dexter stated. “Not only is it the right thing to do, it is a critical way to drive inclusion and equity. We are proud to lead the way in setting a new standard for menopause support. It reinforces our commitment to breaking gender norms and supporting the health and well-being of all of our people through all stages of life.”
New standards
While Deloitte was celebrated as the first ‘menopause-friendly’ organisation in Australia alongside mining company AngloGold Ashanti, many of its local consulting peers have also committed to the program and are in the process of receiving accreditation, including Accenture and Canberra-based boutique Ora Advisory, together with fellow Big Four firms Ernst & Young and KPMG.
Still, Deloitte was given credit for having instituted a number of initiatives as a local trail-blazer, including in areas such as education & awareness in breaking down stigmas, enhancing protocols as to uniforms and access to portable fans and cold drinking water, and in providing personalised and tailored support in the acknowledgement that menopause affects everyone differently.
“We are thrilled to acknowledge Deloitte as a leading organisation which has set a new benchmark in supporting employees through menopause,” stated Menopause Friendly Australia co-founder and CEO Grace Molloy, who previously worked at both Nexia and KPMG. “They join a distinguished group of over 100 aspirational employers who have already been accredited in the UK.”
Local benchmark
Speaking candidly with the AFR, Deloitte technology partner Susan Brown expressed her own experience with the firm’s progressive policies after being recruited from PwC in 2019; “I thought maybe I wasn’t meant to have a role this senior and that the stress of it was getting to me, as I was getting vertigo, nauseous, and all these weird symptoms which meant I was having to leave work.”
On eventually speaking to Deloitte’s HR team; “It made me see I didn’t need time out and could do my job,” Brown said. “It’s about having flexibility to change your hours when you’re not feeling well, or places you can go when you’re having a hot flush. It’s embarrassing to have your makeup melt off or cry suddenly, but I don’t need time off or have a disease. I just need somewhere to go.”
