Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Action plan 2026 to 2027
Contents
1. Introduction
What is an action plan?
Employers with 250 or more employees can produce and publish a voluntary action plan outlining how they intend to address their gender pay gap and support employees experiencing menopause. Subject to legislation, these will become mandatory from spring 2027.
To create their action plan, employers review a list of evidence-informed actions recommended by the government. They identify any they already routinely do (‘embedded actions’), and choose some new actions to work on for the first time or build on something they are already doing (‘planned actions’). They must choose at least 2 planned actions:
- one must address an organisation’s gender pay gap
- one must support employees experiencing menopause
You can see the full list of actions (opens in a new window) and guidance for employers on creating an action plan (opens in a new window).
For more detail on the process, see the gender pay gap and action plan guidance (opens in a new window).
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council submitted the following supporting narrative with their action plan:
Knowsley Council is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and well-informed workplace culture in which employees experiencing menopause feel understood and adequately supported. This action plan sets out the steps the organisation will take by March 2027.
2. Planned actions
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council has committed to working on these actions in the 2026 to 2027 reporting year:
Offer occupational health advice to employees experiencing menopause
Giving employees specialised occupational health advice can help them manage menopause symptoms, get support and work more comfortably.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said:
We will ensure clear information and guidance is available about how to access reasonable adjustments to support employees going through the menopause
Review policies and procedures to meet the needs of employees experiencing menopause
Ensure your organisation’s policies align with the needs of employees experiencing menopause by reviewing your policies and procedures.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said:
Review and update current Menopause Policy
Consider Menopause as part of wider review of other HR policies
Use fair and structured interview techniques
Structured interviews support fair, objective hiring. Standardised questions and scoring helps reduce bias and promotes equal opportunity.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said:
We are producing guidance for managers around inclusive recruitment including interviews.
3. Embedded actions
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council has indicated that the following actions are already an established part of their working practice.
Advertise flexible working arrangements in job adverts
Flexible working policies can aid work-life balance, especially for people with caring roles. Advertising flexibility can attract a wider, more diverse group of applicants.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said:
All of our job advert state: Flexible working, Hybrid working arrangements & family friendly initiatives; Our flexible working scheme allows you to manage your hours & plan your life more easily. We will consider requests for flexible working. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, working from home, compressed hours, part-time.
Set up menopause support groups and networks
Menopause support groups in your organisation can help provide peer support, information and guidance.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said:
We currently run menopause cafes 3 times per year
Offer workplace adjustments to employees experiencing menopause
Personalised workplace adjustments for employees experiencing menopause can support their wellbeing and ability to work.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said:
We offer menopause passports to staff who feel that they would benefit
Advertise leave policies in job adverts
Advertise parental, carer, and compassionate leave policies widely to ensure all prospective employees know the entitlements they would be eligible for.
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said:
Our employee offer includes:
Family and Carers support
Maternity Leave
Paternity leave
Shared parental leave
Unpaid emergency leave support
Family-friendly policies supporting fostering, fertility treatment, fostering, adoption and caring responsibilities
Carers passports to make sure you’re supported to manage caring responsibilities alongside work
Menopause policy, passport, and support
This is on our vacancy website
4. About Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Registered address
- Computer Centre, Westmorland Road, Knowsley, L36 9GL
- Sector
- Public administration and defence; compulsory social security, Public sector