With women making up nearly half of the UK workforce, talking about menopause shouldn’t still be taboo. However, many workplaces still don’t facilitate women being able to be open about their symptoms and how they’re feeling. Women are leaving their jobs because of the more severe symptoms of menopause, such as anxiety, ‘brain fog’, exhaustion or joint pain.
Employers should be ensuring that support is available and an open culture is in place so that women feel able to still be at work despite these symptoms potentially impacting their abilities and productivity, perhaps having discussions around reasonable adjustments, environmental changes, flexible working and sickness policies. Perhaps looking at creating an internal support network, training sessions for managers and employees and having posters in staff areas with key facts.
Managers should ensure they know exactly what the menopause is. As with a lot of things in life – knowledge is key! Being able to spot the signs and know how to offer support is important (as with any other health related matter).
Here at MJV Consulting, we have signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge to support employees and clients going through the menopause in the workplace.
