BANK of Ireland has become the second major bank to announce menopause leave for staff.
The Irish lender confirmed up to 10 days of paid leave will be offered to workers experiencing menopause-related sickness.
Danske Bank announced its new menopause leave policy on Tuesday to mark World Menopause Day, similarly offering staff up to 10 days of leave.
Bank of Ireland cited Department of Health research which found three quarters of women over the age of 35 have either entered peri-menopause, are in menopause, or have completed menopause.
The lender said its people managers and HR teams will receive training to help them better understand the impact that menopause can have on work, and what supports might be helpful to any colleagues affected by menopausal symptoms.
READ MORE: Danske Bank to introduce menopause leave for staff
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Joanne Healy, head of employee relations at Bank of Ireland said: “As an employer we are committed to building a more supportive and inclusive culture within the Bank. We want to help our colleagues at all stages of their lives including the menopause.
“This new policy and training have been introduced as important supports for our colleagues who are going through the menopause.
“This will help us continue to build a work environment in which everyone is treated with fairness, dignity and respect.
“The menopause supports policy is one of a series of progressive policy improvements we are implementing at Bank of Ireland. It follows the recent launch of our enhanced paternity leave policy, the domestic abuse support policy as well as fertility leave and supports. We will continue to explore ways that we can improve at the experience and wellbeing for all of our Bank of Ireland colleagues.”
