Service wins prestigious Employer of the Year Award

17/09/2026

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has won the prestigious Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year Award (Public Sector) at the 2026 Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards, organised by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace.

Celebrating its fifth successful year, the 2026 Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards were announced during a day of knowledge, networking and celebration on September 16, 2026 when more than 300 delegates from across the UK gathered at three regional events, simultaneously hosted in London, Nottingham and Liverpool.

This year’s winners were selected from a record-breaking number of entries by an independent panel of industry experts. Following a rigorous process that required clear evidence of impact and meaningful change, their choices highlight those going above and beyond to deliver positive, lasting improvements for colleagues. Picked from an exceptionally diverse field spanning private and public sector organisations, the 2026 winners reflect the nationwide momentum in changing workplace culture.

The Menopause Friendly Accredited Employer of the Year Award (Public Sector) recognises an organisation that has truly embedded menopause awareness, education and support into its workplace culture.

Hayley Douglas, Assistant Director Communication and Engagement at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Service’s Menopause Champion, said: “We were filled with pride just to be listed as a finalist in this category so to hear us announced as the winners of this award was an incredible moment! Feedback we receive from across the Service evidences the impact our work to ensure we are a menopause friendly employer is having. Knowing that colleagues have all received awareness training about menopause, symptoms and their impact in the workplace - and at home – means that colleagues feel more comfortable having open conversations about what they are going through, knowing they will be supported.

“To have our work recognised at a national level and to win Accredited Employer of the Year from all the organisations doing fantastic work to improve menopause support in the workplace was quite a feeling!”

Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace added: “I would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners, highly commended organisations and finalists. Together, the impact of their menopause and menstruation friendly work is shifting workplace culture, bringing meaningful and measurable change and creating environments where people feel understood, supported and able to thrive. Importantly, this year’s award-winning body of work arrives at a critical moment, leading the way for employers preparing to meet the criteria for the mandatory Menopause Action Plans coming into force next Spring.”

The 2026 Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards Event was made possible through sponsorship from: HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank, Boots UK & No7 Beauty Company, Rathbones, AtkinsRéalis, BAE Systems, Mars UK, Ninja Theory, Onvero, ScottishPower and Menopace by Vitabiotics.