Lidl has become the first company in Ireland to receive Gold Level Menopause Workplace Excellence Accreditation from The Menopause Hub Academy, a centre of excellence for all things menopause, setting a new standard for workplace inclusivity and support.

The accolade was announced today, ahead of World Menopause Day on Friday, 18th October. The accreditation scheme, which was introduced for Irish firms in June 2024, recognises organisations that actively support and accommodate employees coping with debilitating menopause symptoms. 

Named a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for the fourth year running, Lidl Ireland is recognised widely for its excellence as an employer and this latest accreditation further positions Lidl Ireland as a leader in employee welfare and corporate responsibility.

Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: “… We’re very proud to be the first company in Ireland to gain this accreditation, at the very highest standard, and demonstrate leadership in this important area.

“We recognise our responsibility as an employer to those going through the menopause to freely discuss their symptoms and request accommodations without fear of judgment, so we’ve invested heavily in training and support programmes and initiatives to better support managers and all employees. Our aim is to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and supported and we tailor our approach to meet individual needs.

“It's fantastic to be recognised by The Menopause Hub Academy for all we have achieved to date, but we’re not done yet. We have to keep the conversation going and advocate for a new norm in workplaces, developing compassionate leaders.

“As a leader in this area, we are committed to sharing information and best practices across our industry with hopes to have a real impact on the next generation and the support available to them to ensure they stay in their roles and keep progressing their careers, ultimately having an impact on female representation at all levels of organisations.”

CEO and founder of The Menopause Hub, Loretta Dignam comments,  

“The Menopause Academy was developed by The Menopause Hub to recognise organisations that actively support and accommodate employees experiencing menopause. 

I’m delighted to award Lidl Ireland with our first ever accreditation which has been awarded at the very highest level, reflecting the outstanding steps that the company has taken to create a supportive and inclusive environment for employees experiencing menopause or perimenopause.

 Lidl’s efforts in raising awareness, providing education, offering flexible work arrangements, and ensuring access to necessary resources have truly set a benchmark for excellence in this important area of workplace wellbeing.” 

Menopause support is one of many dedicated initiatives introduced by Lidl Ireland to support its 6,000 employees throughout all life stages.

In April 2022, Lidl announced the introduction of Fertility Leave for employees who are undergoing IVF fertility treatments, providing two days at full pay per cycle, regardless of length of service.

Lidl Ireland also became the first company to extend its Compassionate Leave policy to include three days at full pay to all employees who have experienced or been affected by early pregnancy loss and miscarriage. This extends to all employees, regardless of gender, including those with a surrogate mother. Additionally, Lidl became the first large employer in Ireland to support employees who wish to work past the age of 65 by removing the mandatory retirement age of 65 from contracts.