Menopause in the workplace
October is Menopause Awareness Month, and World Menopause Day is today 18 October 2022. Menopause is a topic being discussed more than ever before, and people are becoming more knowledgeable about the affect it has on women. The fact that it impacts women while at work and can negatively impact women’s careers is talked about less often. 45% of women feel Menopause has had a negative effect on them while at work and it may still be seen as a taboo topic which you must not discuss in the workplace. Why is this?
Women experiencing Menopause are part of the fastest growing workplace demographic, and this will mean most employers will encounter an employee going through Menopause at some stage [1]. It would seem sensible therefore to discuss Menopause openly and have provisions in place to support employees in the workplace during this time.
Talking about Menopause, the symptoms, and the effects it can have will also be helpful for younger generations who may go through Menopause in the future as they will then have an awareness and an understanding and be better equipped to deal with it. For managers and supervisors of all genders and age ranges it can be beneficial to understand the effects Menopause can have on women and the impact it can have on their work not just to offer support and understanding but also to reduce the chances of a discrimination claim.
Did you know that employment tribunals relating to Menopause discrimination more than doubled from 2020 to 2021? In 2022 tribunal claims involving Menopause have risen even further.
Working With Menopause
Common symptoms of Menopause include difficulty sleeping, tiredness / fatigue, hot flushes, which can cause dizziness, palpitations, low mood, anxiety, mood swings, problems with memory and concentration (‘often referred to as brain fog), headaches / migraines, muscle aches and joint pains [2].
Some women will experience minor to mild symptoms whereas others can have severe symptoms that can be so strong they make women feel unable to continue in their role or progress any further in their career. Symptoms can impact on attendance, performance, conduct and relationships at work [3].
Offering employees support and allowing open and honest conversations to take place, can support businesses to reduce sickness absence rates, increase productivity, and support employee retention in the long-term.
How Employers Can Help
What can you, as an employer, do to help? Educating all employees on Menopause and having a good policy in place which offers support and allows open dialogue for anyone going through Menopause would be a massive step in the right direction. It also allows a change of culture to take place, to one where it is okay to talk about these issues and ask for support. Asking employees for their views on what support they would like, whether Menopause is an issue which is understood in the workplace, and if they feel okay to ask for help, can be a great starting point as it allows you to see what employees feel currently and what they see as helpful moving forward.
Offering simple solutions such as working space close to fans, air-con, windows, and away from heaters can help women with some of the symptoms they may be suffering from. Flexibility at work can greatly help someone who is beginning to go through Menopause and just starting HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) treatment.
Over 1,000 employers have signed The Menopause Workplace Pledge, including Tesco, Aldi, McDonalds, NHS England, Santander, and PWC [4]. This is a public display of a commitment to supporting women through Menopause.
So, how does your workplace support employees affected by the Menopause?
Do you need to make some changes to gain a better understanding and support your team?
Albany HR has a team with over 50 years’ combined HR experience. We help you succeed through your people and can assist in all areas of HR including:
- – Menopause Policy Design
- – People Strategy
- – Employee Wellbeing
- – Absence Management
Get in touch for a discussion about how our services can support you. Email us at letstalk@albanyhr.com or call for a chat 0131 364 4186.
[1] https://www.hr-inform.co.uk/news-article/menopause-awareness-month-have-you-joined-the-conversation?mkt_tok=NDYzLVlCQy01MjUAAAGHS0gPvSvvZ9hUCVW19tIraN4GPryHycQ8OR3URYeHxbjGVz2hDhsQPRhfQB7VQD_1DH1HlH-5jpdkDmutQ_V_NIrOzZCaED2Oi_SgeTMuNI8ztA
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
[3] https://workbox.brodies.com/workbox-public/menopause#what-is-the-menopause
[4] https://www.hr-inform.co.uk/news-article/menopause-awareness-month-have-you-joined-the-conversation?mkt_tok=NDYzLVlCQy01MjUAAAGHS0gPvSvvZ9hUCVW19tIraN4GPryHycQ8OR3URYeHxbjGVz2hDhsQPRhfQB7VQD_1DH1HlH-5jpdkDmutQ_V_NIrOzZCaED2Oi_SgeTMuNI8ztA