Burness Paull has become the first employer in Scotland to be reaccredited as Menopause Friendly, recognising the ongoing work the firm is doing to support colleagues experiencing menopause.

This comes three years after the firm was the first employer in Scotland and the first law firm in the UK to receive the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Accreditation accolade.

Assessment is carried out by an independent panel who award accreditation based on an organisation’s continued efforts to focus on menopause in the workplace.

Burness Paull has had a menopause policy framework in place for over three years and all colleagues have access to a range of training, practical support and resources, including trained Menopause Champions throughout the firm.

In the years following the firm’s initial accreditation, the focus has been on widening the practical tools and resources available to support those who are directly impacted by menopause and peri-menopause, whether this is through signposting, reasonable adjustments or occupational health referrals.

Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, the UK’s leading organisation helping businesses implement effective and practical changes to make a difference to those experiencing menopause, said: “It is fantastic to see Burness Paull receive re-accreditation as a Menopause Friendly workplace. They have been groundbreaking in their support for colleagues experiencing menopause, as evidenced by being the first Scottish employer to receive the accreditation.

“It’s so heartening to see they haven’t paused on the journey, continuing to listen and respond to the needs of their employees and provide such a tailored and practical programme of support which improves the working lives of those who benefit from it. ''

Emma Smith, Inclusion & Wellbeing Manager at Burness Paull, said: “We are a firm where inclusion and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to promoting a workplace culture where everyone can succeed. For us, our work on menopause is no longer a project or initiative but embedded into our “business as usual” efforts to ensure everyone in the firm is supported and able to be the best they can be. We want to ensure colleagues feel comfortable having conversations around menopause and asking for help, and that throughout the firm, line managers are aware of how they can support their teams.  We’ve worked hard to put in place a range of policies, tools and benefits to encourage health and wellness at work and I’m delighted we have received this re-accreditation. It’s something I’d encourage all employers to consider.”

This recognition follows Burness Paull being named winners of Best Diversity & Inclusion Initiative at the s1 Jobs Recruitment Awards 2024. The firm is currently shortlisted in the Support & Wellbeing and Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion categories at the Scottish Legal Awards and Diversity and Inclusion Champion - Large Employer category at the Herald & GenAnalytics D&I Awards, all to be announced later this year.