SONI adopts accreditation to strengthen workplace support

SONI, Northern Ireland’s electricity Transmission System Operator, has signed up to the Menopause Accreditation Programme delivered in association with Work Life People, becoming the first organisation in Northern Ireland to do so. The move introduces a structured learning pathway designed to improve understanding, confidence and practical support across the organisation.

A report by Business Eye said the programme provides a comprehensive framework built around six eLearning courses. These are designed to explain what menopause is and is not, how symptoms can present, and how workplace factors such as stress, temperature, uniforms, shift patterns and workloads can intensify the experience. 

The training also focuses on equipping managers with the skills to hold informed and sensitive conversations, signpost colleagues to relevant resources and agree practical adjustments.

SONI’s Head of People and Place Colin Cairnduff said the decision reflects a focus on putting people at the centre of the organisation.

“Menopause is a natural life stage, but for too long it has been treated as a taboo topic at work,” he explains.

He added: “This programme will help us build a workplace where colleagues feel understood, where managers have the confidence to offer the right support and where no one feels they need to step back from their career because of a lack of awareness.”

The accreditation framework is designed to embed learning across teams and support the review of policies and practices, ensuring organisational responses are informed by guidance rather than outdated assumptions. Importantly, the programme includes male colleagues, recognising that inclusive understanding is critical to creating supportive working environments.

Karina Todd, founder and CEO of Work Life People, said: “Organisations that take menopause seriously are not just supporting individuals; they are retaining talent, improving wellbeing and strengthening workplace culture.”

Follow the full details and background behind the accreditation.