Meet the female founders breaking down barriers around menstrual health in the workplace
In response to alarming statistics revealing that 23% of working women in the UK have contemplated leaving their jobs due to the impact of menstrual and menopausal symptoms (Simply Health, 2023), The Independent Health and Wellbeing Group (IHWG), an employee wellbeing group, has joined forces with Grace & Green, a sustainable period product company, to offer a unique workplace training. Together, they are on a mission to dismantle the taboo surrounding women’s health in the workplace, aiming to prevent the potential loss of 3.5 million female employees.
This partnership bridges the gap between menstrual health and menopause, providing organisations with a comprehensive approach to support women’s health needs. Grace & Green, renowned for its award-winning organic and sustainable products, collaborates with IHWG, experts in menstrual health education, to offer products, education, and confidence-building solutions.
Founder of The IHWG, Hazel Hayden, expresses enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “As we embark on this journey with Grace & Green, our shared mission is to dismantle the barriers surrounding women's health in the workplace. By combining forces, we aim to cultivate a culture where menstrual health and menopause are not only understood but actively catered for in the UK. This partnership signifies a crucial step towards fostering inclusive workplaces where every individual, regardless of their gender, can thrive without fear or stigma. Together, we are rewriting the narrative around women's health, creating a brighter and more equitable future for employees across the board.”
Grace & Green’s 100% organic and sustainable products aim to alleviate the worries associated with menstruation in the workplace. By providing free period products, companies demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and support for all employees. IHWG specialise in providing unique learning experiences that normalise menopause and menstruation in the workplace. Through education on menstruation, menstrual conditions, menopause, and everything in between, the partnership seeks to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations across the board.
This includes offering menstrual products, flexible work arrangements, and fostering a supportive culture to destigmatise women’s health, ensuring all employees feel valued and supported.
Founder of Grace & Green, Fran Lucraft said: “We believe that access to safe and sustainable period products is a fundamental human right. No one should have to compromise their health, career or dignity because they don’t have access to essential menstrual products when they need them. Having free period products that are visible and starting conversations in the workplace is an important and simple way to begin breaking the stigmas associated with menstruation. We believe this partnership will be a significant step towards breaking down barriers for people who menstruate within the workplace. It’s cheaper than buying toilet roll, so the question isn’t why are we starting this partnership, it's simply why isn’t everybody doing it? We believe this partnership will be a significant step towards breaking down barriers and removing stigma for all people who menstruate within the workplace.”
To find out more about the collaborative training, or book your company session, CLICK HERE.
