Rock Compliance - Supporting female staff with our Menopause Policy

Our Head of HR, Róisín Kearney, discusses what inspired us to introduce our Menopause Policy earlier this year.

As a female leader working in predominantly male industries throughout my career, I have always felt a responsibility to champion the voices of women in every conversation, ensuring that they are not overlooked simply because they are often not the loudest. I am fortunate that, at Rock Compliance, our leaders and our colleagues alike see a value in equality, diversity and inclusion across every spectrum, and women's perspectives, including my own, are viewed with the same level of respect and weight as their male counterparts.

Even in such an inclusive environment, there are some topics that still remain taboo, specifically around women's health. Talk of PMS, pregnancy and menopause are often met with discomfort, and the symptoms, which can be debilitating for so many women, are regularly misunderstood.

As the working population in the UK is aging and with women over 50 becoming the fastest growing demographic in the workplace, we decided to launch our Menopause Policy earlier this year. The policy focuses on support, educating managers on the signs to look out for that indicate a member of their team might be struggling, and potential steps they may wish to take to help their people, while acknowledging that this is an extremely personal time in someone's life and one that affects everyone differently. It also signposts for our colleagues what they can do should they feel they need help with menopausal symptoms.

Our aim with this policy is that it will help to eliminate the taboo surrounding menopause, allowing for more open conversation to take place within the workplace, ensuring our people feel supported no matter who they are or what they may be going through. Ultimately, my hope is that everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, feels equally valued within our organisation and is given the help they need at every stage of life.

About Róisín:

Róisín is the HR Business Partner for Rock Compliance, responsible for delivering the people strategy to the highest standard possible. She is passionate about creating an inclusive and progressive culture that values difference and empowers every person to thrive in their own unique way.

Róisín and her team of HR professionals work with the business to ensure that company goals are achieved whilst keeping people at the heart of every decision that is made.

Róisín has extensive experience within multiple industries and organisations of various sizes. She has a strong background in employment law, employee engagement and learning and development. She has an undergraduate qualification in HR, is currently working towards her master’s degree in Strategic People Management. She is also a qualified Career Coach.