Tommy's Pregnancy Accreditation
Programme is a unique initiative for UK employers, which aims to improve
conditions for pregnant women in the workplace and create a culture where
pregnancy in the workplace is viewed positively. The programme was launched
in 1999 and Marks & Spencer was the first company to receive this important
accreditation. Since then major companies and organisations such as Rolls
Royce, Merrill Lynch and the Department of Health have joined.
The criteria for joining the Programme have been developed in association with a leading panel of experts on pregnancy health issues. Employers who introduce the Programme's Five Point Pregnancy Plan into their employee relations programme will, subject to the decision of the Accreditation Panel, be eligible to become members of the Pregnancy Accreditation Programme. The introduction of these simple yet highly effective measures to aid a healthy pregnancy will foster a positive and productive workforce and encourage a culture where employees maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Becoming a member of the Pregnancy Accreditation Programme will help you build a positive image with all your associates including customers, suppliers and shareholders, as well as enhancing staff loyalty and retention. As part of the Programme, your company will gain access to advice from leading experts on pregnancy health and you will receive free copies of a comprehensive advice booklet covering all areas of pregnancy health in the working environment for all your pregnant employees. Membership of the scheme also includes an annual seminar on pregnancy health, where organisations can keep each other up-to-date regarding codes of practice and ways to improve the workplace environment for pregnant employees.
Is your organisation eligible to apply for Pregnancy Accreditation?
Regular attendance at antenatal appointments is a key part of maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Can you ensure that managers are aware of the importance of regular attendance at antenatal clinics and actively encourage pregnant women to attend at a time most convenient to them?
Smoking and passive
smoking can contribute to low birth weight and to premature birth.
Do you have non-smoking offices?
Stress and prolonged
fatigue can contribute to premature birth.
Do you provide a smoke-free rest place, where pregnant women can rest
comfortably during breaks?
Factors such as working
with machinery, exposure to chemicals and lifting can be particularly
dangerous for pregnant workers.
Do you carry out risk assessments for each pregnant employee?
And finally,
Can you make available to your employees all existing government regulations
and guidelines on pregnancy in the workplace, and give them a copy of
the 'Pregnancy in the Workplace' booklet supplied by Tommy's?
If you have answered yes to all of the above questions then you are able to introduce the Five Point Plan into your employee relations programme. This means that you are eligible to be put forward to the Pregnancy Accreditation Panel.
For further information please call a member of the Corporate Fundraising team on 020 7398 3420 or you can complete the form below to arrange a convenient time for the Programme Manager to speak to you.
