Women's Health in the workplace - Half day - online Conference

Women continue to face a number of challenges in the workplace, ranging from balancing childcare and work, to experiencing baby loss and managing fertility treatment and the menopause at work. We will discuss some of these topics , which have a significant and tangible impact on the women of Wales’s workforce, to help accelerate progress towards real-world solutions for women in Wales.

Join us to hear from CIPD experts and case studies and learn how we can contribute to improve women's experiences in the workplace.

The CIPD has long pushed for better workplaces for women and continue being committed to create spaces for discussion and debate.

CIPD Members and Non-members are welcome

9.30 AM - Welcome and conference opening

9.40 AM - Session 1: CIPD perspective : Lesley Richards, Head of CIPD Wales

This session will explore the challenges and opportunities for women’s health at work. It will be an opportunity to discuss the CIPD’s recent research on the menopause, including some surprising new results on the experiences of women at work. We will discuss how menopause-friendly workplaces can boost career progression and prevent early exit from the workforce. What adjustments can help, and how can organisations open up the culture around menopause and other health issues such as menstruation, fertility issues and pregnancy loss? What’s the role of line managers and what skills do they need to provide compassionate support?

The session will also cover the CIPD’s public policy work to influence the creation of workplaces that protect and enhance reproductive and women’s health, as well as our partnership with the Government’s first Menopause Employment Champion.

We are also working to tackle the next big taboo on women’s health around menstruation and menstrual health, so will explore how employers can provide support in this area.

10.30 AM – Session 3: Case studies - In this session we will cover:

• What infertility is and who it affects.
• The trauma of infertility, and why flexibility at work is important
• The myths and realities relating to fertility treatment and statistics
• How managers and HR departments can support their employees, whether they have a fertility policy in place or not.
• Menstrual health and menopause.
• Pregnancy loss
• Sophie will be discussing her personal journey with Endometriosis, and the impact of ignoring her cycle
• Why is the menstrual cycle so important?
• innovative growth: Cycle led strategies for all genders
• Employee and Management specific advise for the workplace
• How I can help YOU

11.30 AM - Virtual coffee break

11.45 AM Session 4: Legal - Speaker TBC

12.15 – Close: Wrap up and Thanks from CIPD Wales

Lesley is responsible for representing the CIPD in Wales and our 7,000 members across the nation. She focuses on influencing policy, building partnerships and delivering for members. Lesley has a long history with the CIPD, joining our South East Wales branch as a student member.

Before joining the CIPD, Lesley spent 25 years working in HR, both in professional services and her own consultancy business. She also spent eight years as Group Executive HR Director for one of Wales’ leading marketing and communication consultancies. Lesley continues to run her own HR consultancy with a client base which spans the private, public and not for profit sectors.

Sophie's mission is to empower individuals to harness their menstrual cycles for both professional and personal growth. Using a combination of menstrual health research and her own struggles wit endometriosis and cycle suppression, she is on a mission to enlighten businesses about the unique needs of menstruating individuals and end the unnecessary stigma. Through engaging and interactive sessions, Sophie I unveil the mysteries of the menstrual cycle, shedding light on how aligning with its rhythms can revolutionise performance and productivity.

Connect and follow with Sophie here

Event Venue

Online