Dealing with menopause in the workplace
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The 18th October marks World Menopause Day, a day designated to raise awareness for menopause and to support women and options to improve health and well-being for women in mid-life and beyond. This year, the theme is Cognition and Mood.
What is menopause?
Menopause is when your periods stop as a result of lower hormone levels, usually occuring between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause can cause various symptoms, many of which can impact upon those experiencing menopause in and outside the workplace. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Hot flushes
Difficulty sleeping
Heart palpitations
Headaches and migraines
Muscle aches and joint pains
Irritability, panic attacks, loss of confidence, depression and anxiety
Memory loss and poor concentration
Everyone experiences menopause differently, and symptoms can change and fluctuate over time. Symptoms usually start months or years before your periods stop, and this is called perimenopause.
Menopause in the workplace
Menopause symptoms can affect women in the workplace, and your employer should be able to offer you support, as it is a health and well being concern.
Employers should make sure they have procedures and support in place to help staff that may be affected by menopause in the workplace. Menopause is not a specific protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, but if someone is put at a disadvantage because of their menopause, then it can be classed as discrimination if related to a protected characteristic, such as age, sex, or disability. Find out more on the ACAS website on how menopause can relate to discrimination based on certain protected characteristics.
Our Menopause Policy at Citizens Advice Wigan Borough
In light of increased awareness around menopause, we recognise that many members of our staff will experience menopause and it can have an adverse impact on their working lives. We are committed to developing a workplace that supports staff, and have introduced our new Menopause Policy to support staff and encourage open conversations about menopause within the workplace at all levels.
Our policy aims to foster an environment in which colleagues can openly and comfortably address and discuss menopause in a respectful and supportive manner, raise awareness of the ways staff can be supported at work, and raise wider awareness and understanding amongst all employees.
If you need help or advice, get in touch with our team today - call us free on 0808 2787 801, or email us at advice@cawb.org.uk.
