Embracing Change, Mondelez's Commitment to Menopause Inclusivity

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Tell us about yourself and your role at Mondelez International.

I am currently the Research & Development Enterprise Health, Safety & Environment Lead in our Bournville Research & Development Innovation Centre. I've been with the business for 14 years, starting out in coffee and then moving to chocolate before transitioning to a global health and safety (H&S) role.

I've always worked in the facilities and H&S industry, and as I've become older, I have become intrigued by the health aspect of this industry. We often focus on safety, but we can't achieve our business objectives if our colleagues are not in good health, mentally and physically. In my day job, I look after the HSE agenda for all our R&D Innovation Centres across the globe. I help our teams navigate our global standards and provide coaching to ensure compliance against them, so our colleagues go home to their loved ones safe and sound at the end of the working day.

My personal journey and experiences have led me to care deeply about the health and well-being of our colleagues. I believe that all of us need to understand more about menopause so we can offer the right help and support. We recognize that menopause can affect us all, personally and professionally, and we want to help all our colleagues be at their best. As a side project, I lead the menopause agenda for the Northern Europe business.

Personally, I live in beautiful Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, with my partner Chris and our family dog Barney. I love to walk, read books, and connect with friends over good food and drink!

How have you contributed to spreading awareness of the menopause at Mondelez International?

When learning that women of menopausal age make up the fastest-growing demographic of the UK workforce, we looked at our demographics and it was a clear area of opportunity. We started the conversation in 2019 to smash stigma in the workplace. In 2023, we reached a key milestone and now offer a wealth of resources for those experiencing and supporting others through the Menopause. I have defined and executed the strategy and brought to life different initiatives to raise awareness of menopause, educate teams, and enable them to navigate menopause successfully. Our Menopause initiative has already started to make an impact, as shown by the feedback from colleagues. This has helped to empower everyone in our company to navigate Menopause successfully.

Can you discuss any initiatives or programs at Mondelez International that have been implemented to support menopausal women?

At MDLZ, we prioritize the health and well-being of our colleagues. We believe it's important for everyone to have a better understanding of menopause so that we can provide the right help and support.

We recognize that menopause can impact us personally and professionally, and we are committed to helping all our colleagues be at their best. Our Menopause Steering Committee equips colleagues with the resources and confidence to embrace menopause and eliminate stigma in the workplace.

Since 2019, we have continuously improved our offerings based on feedback from our community. Our initiatives have included menopause roadshows, podcasts, monthly menopause cafes (providing an informal, safe space to discuss all things menopause and support each other), quarterly “Lunch and Learn” with a menopause doctor (offering a medical perspective), menopause champions to drive the agenda, and resources for employees such as reasonable adjustments, guides for people managers and employees, and awareness training.

In your opinion, what are the key benefits of embracing menopause inclusivity in the workplace?

Menopause is a significant aspect of our culture and is prominently featured in our 2024 communications calendar. We are continuously working to make our menopause support flexible and adaptable to the needs of our colleagues. Our model has been implemented in our MDLZ businesses in Ireland and the US with positive results and engagements. This initiative allows us to drive a better employee experience and inclusion, boost our teams' productivity, and really provide a space for moments that matter.