Balfour Beatty – Spotlight on Enhancing Wellbeing and Belonging at Work

Balfour Beatty faced the challenge of addressing the taboo surrounding menopause in the male-dominated construction sector, resulting in a 10% attrition rate for women over 50 and impacting both careers and colleagues. The company demonstrated its commitment by implementing best practices to manage menopause transitions.

Concurrently, Balfour Beatty aimed to address the chronic skills shortage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries by promoting better representation of women and individuals in later career stages. The focus was on identifying and minimising barriers to professional development, introducing appropriate workplace adjustments, and fostering an inclusive environment that prioritised employee wellbeing.

Balfour Beatty’s strategic Menopause Working Group outlined clear goals and implemented an action plan to instil a supportive culture, covering policies, practices, engagement, training, and facilities. The commitment extended to embedding menopause considerations in working practices through flexible working, sick absence, and workplace adjustment policies.

The introduction of MenoBuddies, a mentoring programme, and the creation of an employee-led Menopause Support Group, originating from National Inclusion Week 2020, exemplified Balfour Beatty’s dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace for employees navigating the menopausal transition.

Balfour Beatty’s exemplary efforts in addressing menopause in the workplace have resulted in the prestigious Menopause Friendly Employer Accreditation, a unique accomplishment within the construction industry. Its proactive approach includes workshops, webinars, and panel discussions featuring external experts, effectively raising awareness on menopause and symptom management.

The Menopause Support Group, now boasting over 150 members, continues to expand its reach and support across the organisation, and regular updates on menopause-related news, events, and resources on Yammer ensure communication reaches all employees. The positive impact has extended to the organisation’s employee engagement survey results, where 86% of employees feel the culture is inclusive, and an impressive 95% feel cared for at work.

Looking forward, Balfour Beatty has remained committed, refreshing its Menopause Action Plan for 2023 and pledging to do so annually.

The information contained within this resource was accurate at the time of its publication. This article was created in January 2024.