First Australian emergency service to achieve Menopause Friendly Australia accreditation

• St John WA (SJWA) became one of only four Australian employers to achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation and the only emergency service, so far in the region.
• A 2023 national survey found 70 per cent of women feel uncomfortable discussing their symptoms at work. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 is “Accelerate Action”.
• SJWA delivers menopause awareness training for the organisation, provisions for all team members undergoing menopause-related symptoms and raises awareness through candid storytelling.

St John WA (SJWA) has become the first emergency service nationally to be formally accredited by Menopause Friendly Australia.

SJWA is proud of achieving its ‘Menopause Friendly Accredited’ badge ahead of International Women’s Day 2025 (March 8), after achieving the rigorous standards set by the United Kingdom founding enterprise The Menopause Friendly Accreditation.

Group CEO Kevin Brown said he was thrilled SJWA team members have driven a culture of inclusion that went beyond a tick-box exercise.

“The Menopause Friendly Accreditation recognises industry proven and globally recognised practices which embrace menopause in the workplace,” Mr Brown said.

“St John WA was assessed by an independent panel and had to demonstrate effectiveness in five key areas of culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment to deliver truly meaningful marks of excellence for perimenopausal and menopausal women in the workplace.

“I’m proud St John WA is a frontrunner for accelerating action in this space.

“We’ve become one of only four to achieve this particular accreditation in Australia, with many others committed to follow.”

Aligned with SJWA’s Strategic Plan, the organisation is fostering a positive, proactive and forward-thinking approach to menopause by making it a more spoken about topic within the organisation.

Some of the key changes delivering lasting impact included:

• An empowered train-the-trainer style Advocates Network to roll out menopause awareness training for the organisation.
• Changes to provisions for team members undergoing menopause-related symptoms.
• Rolling access to industry-leading educational webinars for all team members via Menopause Friendly Australia including an e-learning program customised for the emergency services workforce.
• Candid storytelling from leaders on their experiences with menopause or supporting loved ones through menopause.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) is “Accelerate Action”.

General Manager Ambulance Operations – Rural and Remote Karen Stewart, who drove the project and is currently a PhD candidate on the topic, said the accreditation was a culmination of 18 months of work by SJWA’s dedicated working group and its leaders.

“As mentioned above a 2023 national survey found a staggering 70 per cent of women feel uncomfortable discussing their symptoms at work and being perimenopausal often goes unrecognised due to limited education and awareness,” Ms Stewart said.

“My hope is the stigma around this life transition can be removed from all workspaces and teams feel supported well into the future.

“We know that it’s only through breaking down the systemic barriers women face in personal and professional contexts that we’ll be able to truly shift the needle on gender equity.”

Grace Molloy, CEO and Co-Founder of Menopause Friendly Australia, congratulated the team.

“We’re delighted St John WA has become the first emergency services employer in Australia accredited as menopause friendly,” Ms Molloy said.

“Led by team members with a lived experience of menopause and backed by support from the Group CEO and executive team, St John WA has taken a genuine and practical approach to their menopause friendly initiative, considering the unique pressures on team members who often work in challenging situations.

“Congratulations on your achievement.”

Menopause Friendly Australia independent panel member Libby Lyons said the team should be proud of the sound foundations they had created for change.

“As a team, they have clearly worked exceptionally hard to transform their workplace to address the barriers and problems menopausal women face in their working lives,” Ms Lyons said. 

“They have implemented comprehensive policies and support systems, trained their people, and addressed the many myths and misconceptions about menopause. 

“In doing so they have created a more flexible and understanding working environment in which employees feel safe to talk about menopause and seek help when required.”