Have you ever wondered what a company entirely led and operated by women looks like?
Dubai-based boutique beauty and wellness communications agency, TishTash, is exactly
that.
With a team of over 40 females, the award-winning PR agency has been delivering high-
performing marketing campaigns since 2012, for established brands across the UK and
GCC. With offices in Dubai, Riyadh and the UK, TishTash has worked with some of the
biggest names in the beauty, health and wellness industries – the likes of Faces, The Body
Shop and Skin Republic – to drive both brand awareness and consumer demand.
Discover more about employee benefits and work-life balance initiatives in this Article “HSBC UAE’s“
Founded by dynamic duo Polly Williams and Natasha Hatherall – two seasoned marketing
professionals with 35 years of combined experience – the agency is committed not only to
crafting stellar campaigns for their clients but also to supporting their women-only workforce
through every stage of their professional and personal lives.
Two years ago, TishTash introduced one of their most impactful initiatives yet – as part of
their unique employee wellness and wellbeing programs. The agency’s inclusive initiative
goes far beyond traditional employee benefits, offering paid leave for fertility treatments,
menopause, and menstrual health.
The policy is both simple and transformative – allowing employees to take up to six days of
menopause and menstrual leave per year without impacting their sick days or paid time off
and without requiring any form of medical documentation. Team members can also work
from home when needed to prioritize their own health and comfort.
Through their disruptive approach, TishTash recognizes that women’s health issues often
don’t fit neatly into traditional sick leave policies and may not always require medical
intervention despite causing significant discomfort.
“TishTash is in a unique position, with almost all its staff being female. With this comes a
responsibility to put the unique needs of women first, to ensure we are supporting all our
team in their careers and supporting them as they navigate the unique challenges that
women face in the workplace,” shared Williams.
“Implementing a menstrual leave policy recognizes the sometimes physically debilitating,
uncomfortable reality that so many women face every month. It means they are able to take
time to rest and recover without having to push through at work whilst also not having to use
their limited sick days.”
In addition, women undergoing fertility treatments – whether locally or internationally – are
offered flexible, unrestricted paid leave to attend medical appointments as needed. For
employees experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, ten days of paid leave are
provided to allow for crucial emotional and physical recovery.
More than immediate benefits, TishTash’s progressive initiatives create space for open
conversation about women’s unique challenges in the workplace – topics traditionally
whispered about, such as fertility or menopause, are brought to light without shame or
judgment.
“We are also in a position to be able to use such policies to really open up and give a
platform to these important conversations, and our policy really does mean we are tackling
taboo subjects every day!” said Williams.
As a result, TishTash has seen measurable improvements in employee loyalty and has
gained a reputation as an employer of choice in Dubai’s competitive communications
industry. In 2023 and 2024, the agency was officially certified as a Great Place to Work® – a
reflection of their successful work culture and supportive practices.
“I strongly believe that these policies, plus other employee wellbeing policies we have in
place, is why our retention rate is so high and why we attract some of the best talent in the
market,” added Williams.
TishTash’s Managing Director is also urging other companies to be more considerate toward
their employees by shifting their stance on productivity and workplace presence and
reimagining their management style.
“Too many organizations operate from a culture that is based on productivity equating to
hours spent in the office at your desk. Policies such as our menstrual and menopause leave
will only work if the organization’s culture is rooted in collaboration and trust. If you do not
trust your teams to work effectively without being ‘watched’, such policies will only fail.
Changing or evolving your company culture must be the first step.”
The story of TishTash stands as a compelling example of how innovative people policies can
drive organizational success. By prioritizing women’s needs and experiences, the agency is
writing a new chapter in corporate culture and inviting every company in the UAE to join the
movement toward a more equitable, inclusive, and judgment-free workplace.