ITV has put ‘smart-working conversations’ and quiet working spaces at the heart of its first dedicated staff menopause policy.
In the lead-up to the formal introduction of the policy this week, the ITV Women’s Network has enlisted daytime stars including Lorraine Kelly, Linda Robson and Nadia Sawalha to hold talks with staff to raise awareness of perimenopause and menopause.
The policy includes recommendations of how to support staff undergoing the menopause and to make adjustments to the working environment, including access to desk fans, quiet spaces and flexible working.
ITV’s policy comes two years after Channel 4 launched the industry’s first dedicated menopause policy.
C4 chief executive Alex Mahon said this week that the policy document had been downloaded more than 2,000 times.
ITV unveiled its policy on daytime show Loose Women on Monday, to mark National Menopause Day. The show recently launched a Menopause Manifesto, building on its on-screen conversations about the issue.
Helen Hopkins, the broadcaster’s HR director of resourcing and development and co-chair of the ITV Women’s Network said:
"We launched the Women’s Network in 2015 as it was important to us to be supporting and championing women at ITV.
“We're always looking at what we can do to help support the wellbeing of female colleagues and it is important that all colleagues understand the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and what we can do to support those who are affected by it."
