The Women’s Health in the Workplace Conference 2026: Creating a Supportive Working Environment
Supporters Include:
Overview
In January 2025 the government committed to reducing gynaecology waiting lists, tackling maternity care inequalities, supporting local women’s health hubs, and improving NHS performance. However, there remains a significant gap in how women’s health is recognised and supported in the workplace. Bridging the gap in education and support for women’s health will not only ensure a more inclusive workforce but will also allow more women to reach their full potential in the workplace.
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Professor Carol Atkinson, Professor of Human Resource Management, Manchester Metropolitan University (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Women’s Health in the Workplace: From Policy to Practice
- Exploring how organisations can move beyond mandatory women’s health to embed women’s health considerations into everyday workplace practices
- Understanding and implementing the employment rights bill with a focus on creating menopause action plans
- Outlining government progress on reducing gynaecology waiting lists, tackling maternity care inequalities, supporting local women’s health hubs, and improving NHS performance and the impact this is having on women’s health
- Encouraging ongoing dialogue and employee involvement to ensure health policies are responsive, inclusive, and genuinely effective
Dr. Paula Cowan, National Specialty Advisor for gynaecology, NHS England (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: The Economic Case for Supporting Women’s Health in the Workplace
- Demonstrating how supporting women’s health directly contributes to positive business outcomes and economic performance
- Highlighting women’s health experiences at work
- Emphasising the consequences of inadequate support for health issues in the workplace
- Providing best-practice examples of how employers can support and accommodate women’s health needs
Nina Skero, Chief Executive, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Improving Workplace Awareness of Gynaecological Cancers
Session details coming soon…
Athena Lamnisos, Chief Executive, The Eve Appeal (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Endometriosis and Menstrual Health
- Exploring how endometriosis, and other menstrual health issues are often misunderstood or ignored in the workplace
- Understanding the psychological toll of living with long-term, underdiagnosed conditions
- Strategies for ensuring that menstrual health is not a taboo topic in the workplace
- Guidance on providing impactful support for employees suffering from under diagnosed menstrual health issues
Ginisha Vekaria, Workplace Menstrual Wellbeing Programme Manager, Endometriosis UK (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Breakout Networking: Managing Health-Related Disclosures
This session will provide managers with a space to reflect on how to approach sensitive health-related conversations with confidence and compassion. Discuss real scenarios with fellow leaders, share tips and concerns, and develop a clearer …
Breakout Networking: Managing Health-Related Disclosures
This session will provide managers with a space to reflect on how to approach sensitive health-related conversations with confidence and compassion. Discuss real scenarios with fellow leaders, share tips and concerns, and develop a clearer understanding of how to support your team members while balancing operational needs.
Panel: Supporting Women Experiencing Fertility Issues in the Workplace
- Strategies for breaking down the taboo surrounding fertility within the workplace
- Equipping line managers to respond with sensitivity, maintain privacy, and offer practical support without overstepping boundaries
- Recognising the fertility experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents by choice, and people using surrogacy or adoption
- Addressing grief and the need for empathetic leave policies and support following pregnancy loss
- Examples of effective fertility leave policies, workplace accommodations, and benefits that truly support employees
Becky Kearns, Co-Founder and CEO, Fertility Matters at Work (CONFIRMED)
Professor Joyce Harper, Professor of Reproductive Science, UCL (CONFIRMED)
Penny East, Chief Executive, The Fawcett Society (CONFIRMED)
Comfort Break
Case Study: Menstruation and Menstrual Health Issues
Sally Leech, Founding Director, Menstruation Friendly Accreditation (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Supporting Women Through the Menopause
- Understanding how symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety can affect confidence and performance
- Creating a formal policy outlining support measures and ensuring that all employees are aware of this
- Educating managers and colleagues about the effects of menopause to build empathy and understanding
- Implementing practical interventions including flexible working and access to expert healthcare advice
- Tackling sexist or ageist attitudes towards the menopause
Deborah Garlick, Founder, Henpicked (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Professor Carol Atkinson, Professor of Human Resource Management, Manchester Metropolitan University (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Confirmed Speakers
Penny East
Chief Executive
The Fawcett Society
Ginisha Vekaria
Workplace Menstrual Wellbeing Programme Manager
Endometriosis UK
Testimonials
Great to hear Best Practice Case Studies, and acknowledge the challenges in integrating Women’s Services.
I thoroughly enjoyed the event. Interesting content and good discussions, I learned a lot.
Why You Should Attend?
Why Attend:
✓ High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives on supporting women’s health in the workplace from policymakers and leading experts
✓ Case studies showing best practice examples of
✓ Network with senior colleagues from across
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Example | Organisation Example |
| HR Officers | Government |
| EDI Advisors | The Private Sector |
| Recruitment Advisors | Schools |
| Employment Managers | Local Councils |
| Line Managers | NHS |
| Diversity Leads | Police |
| Managers | Civil Services |
Pricing Options
Public Sector
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us using the enquiry form below.
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
