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Menopause. It’s a life stage that affects 50% of the population. Here’s how you can offer menopause support to your workforce and your business.
Just five years ago, women wouldn’t feel able to talk about ‘the change’ behind closed doors – never mind the workplace. And yet it affects half of us directly and will touch everyone – partners, children, colleagues, line managers – at some point. All those who experience menopause are entitled to menopause support.
Menopause at work – why does it matter?
- The average age of menopause is 51, with women usually experiencing their menopause transition between the ages of 45-55
- Three-quarters of women will experience menopause symptoms, including hot flushes, tiredness, poor memory, brain fog and anxiety.
- A staggering 63% of women going through the menopause say their symptoms have a negative impact on their work
The tide has turned on menopause. With more women working through the menopause than ever before, workplaces are much more open about the impact of this life stage not just on menopausal women but their colleagues too. According to a recent survey, 37% of organisations are considering offering menopause support in their workplace in the next two years. Are you one of them? Here are some top tips from Kathy Abernethy, immediate past Chair of the British Menopause Society, for you and your colleagues.
Tips for HR Professionals
Define a pathway
“For a company to be menopause-friendly, a clearly defined menopause pathway is essential. Colleagues need to know how to access the right support and who to ask for it if they are struggling – at any level in the organisation,” says Kathy. Once the pathway is in place, it’s vital that all colleagues and particularly line managers are aware. “If someone plucks up the courage to speak about menopause, but their line manager is clueless as to what their options are, that's not constructive”, says Kathy. Invest time and training to make the most of the initiatives you put in place. Consider a pathway of specialist support. 90% of employees who attended a one-to-one menopause consultation offered by an employee benefit felt their symptoms were less bothersome.Be open to reasonable adjustments
Staff may find small changes to their work conditions really make a difference to managing their symptoms better. “Look at the possibility of flexible working and being able to work from home. Adjustments within the work environment, like sitting next to a window in an office or moving from an enclosed space at work to one that is more open and airy, can allow your staff to thrive,” advises Kathy.Ask your colleagues what they want
Two years ago, Santander UK invited all female employees to respond to a survey. It included a series of questions about menopause. Today, thanks to the initiatives the organisation has in place, Santander UK has been recognised in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2021 for its efforts to work towards gender equality. After just four weeks of receiving specialist menopause support with Peppy, 90% of participants from Santander UK felt more positive about their employer. 76% said that their menopause symptoms had improved. This is proof that menopause support is good for your business as well as your people.Address your uniform policy
“If you're in a uniformed organisation, think about whether the uniforms are flexible enough to adapt,” says Kathy. The police force provides uniforms with natural fabrics during menopause. Many companies’ uniforms are made from man-made fibres. These tend to make hot flushes and sweats far worse. If this is the case, issuing extra uniforms will mean menopausal staff can change if need be”.Tips for Line Managers
Educate yourself
In order to have conversations about menopause with confidence it’s essential to know the facts. This means understanding the symptoms as well as being aware of what menopausal staff may need. “As a manager you should be able to understand the basics and how symptoms can impact on workplace wellbeing”, says Kathy. The CIPD’s Guidance for Line Managers is a great place to start, or look to organise line manager training with Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace.Stick to what you know Research from Bupa has shown that almost a million women have left their job because of menopausal symptoms, so be understanding. “Remember that a team member is not coming to you to solve their hormonal problems – but to solve their work problems. Don't worry if you don't know about treatments, just focus on supporting the employee at work,” advises Kathy.
Have an open door policy Those who have learnt to manage their menopause symptoms whilst working from home are more likely to be suffering from back to work anxiety post lockdown. You can help by simply listening. “Most women going through the menopause know exactly what needs to be done to make their working day more tolerable,” says Kathy. “It’s their manager’s role to listen and to implement the change. Listen and be open to making it happen so your team can thrive”.