Aston University accredited as Endometriosis Friendly Employer

Endometriosis UK, the leading charity supporting people affected by endometriosis in the UK, has accredited Aston University as an Endometriosis Friendly Employer.

The scheme allows employers to show their commitment to developing a work environment and culture that enable employees with endometriosis to thrive at work.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting one in ten women and those assigned female at birth.

It occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body, leading to symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and heavy periods, all of which can have a significant impact on daily life, including work.

Aston University has worked closely with Endometriosis UK to attain its accreditation. This has included raising awareness of endometriosis within the organisation, sharing educational resources, promoting open conversations around women’s health, and ensuring that managers understand the impact the condition can have on employees.

Aston has also sought to create a supportive culture where individuals feel comfortable speaking about their health and accessing support when needed.

As part of the initiative, Aston has appointed seven Endo Champions. These are staff members who can help raise awareness of the condition, offer support, and signpost colleagues to the help available across the University.

One of the Endo Champions is Aneesha Patel-Sadler, organisational development business partner at Aston University.

She said: “Awareness, compassion, and flexibility can make an enormous difference to someone living with endometriosis.

“Because it is an invisible condition, it can often be misunderstood or underestimated. Simply creating a culture where people feel safe to talk about their health and where managers are willing to listen can have a huge impact.

“Endometriosis is characterised by cycles of remission and exacerbation, and patient care often oscillates between primary/community care and secondary care, depending on the severity of symptoms and the need for medical or surgical management.”