Menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce. According to the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, almost 8 out of 10 menopausal women are at work. However, it still is taboo to talk about. Sharon MacArthur, menopause educator, explain how employers and employees should improve menopause in mental and well-being regulations at work.
Menopause affects every woman; in the UK, the average age for a woman to go through menopause is 51. However, one in 100 women experiences menopause before age 40.
According to the Government Report on Menopause, nearly 8 out of 10 menopausal women work, and 3 out of 4 women experience menopausal symptoms. In contrast, 1 in 4 could experience severe symptoms.
But working environments like those with a lack of temperature control, limited movement conditions, or some uniforms with synthetic fibres can also make menopause symptoms worse.
What are menopause symptoms?
All women experience different symptoms; physically, there are hot flushes, poor sleep, and migraines. There are also psychological aspects to consider: women can experience low mood, anxiety, lack of concentration, lack of self-esteem, and brain fog. And a few cases can experience depression.
The majority of women found it embarrassing to talk about it. Some women feel that the only alternative is to leave their jobs because menopause has affected the quality of their lives.
What can Managers do?
Talking about menopause with managers is embarrassing for employees and is also embarrassing for employers, especially if your line manager is the opposite sex.
Sharon MacArthur, aka Miss Menopause, said: “Ignorance cannot be longer an excuse. Menopause affects everybody. You can not buy a ticket to stop it, so from an employer point of view, if they care about mental health and wellbeing, If they care about giving employees the best experiences, it is essential that menopause become business as usual.
“Suppose you think to have mental and wellbeing covered in your workplace and you not talk about menopause, well. In that case, you have not mental health and wellbeing policies covered.”
Line managers need not to be medical experts, but reasonable adjustment can be put in place for those who require them.
Without a change in policies and procedures to support women going through menopause, it’s unlikely women will speak up. So, this is why Sharon can offer professional and line managers help to learn about menopause and its symptoms and how to implement employment law, treatments, and options in the workplace.
It’s therefore vital that leaders are educated as to what woman may go through and how to help and support them.
I am on a mission to make this normal in the workplace because it affects 100% of the 50% of the world.
Sharon MacArthur, British Menopause Society Member.
What are the financial benefits for organisations?
Menopause at work is covered under the Equality Act 2010 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The Government Equalities Report on Menopause recommends that workplace training raise awareness of menopause at work and introduce various workable solutions. Organisations and employers must consider the following costs;
Recruitment to replace women who leave, according to Oxford Economics, is more than £25,000 for a person earning £30,000 a year, including direct recruitment costs and bringing a new member of the team up to speed.
Employee relations issues or tribunals, The cost of a tribunal case is £8,500, which doesn’t include any awards or the claimant’s if win. Also, reputational risks must be addressed to the organisation suited.
Working with Miss Menopause
As a menopause educator, Sharon MacArthur works with women, managers, and HR professionals who need to understand diversity and manage people with respect.
Helping them plan reasonable adjustments if needed and giving the best support to change their company culture and understand where employment law fits around menopause.
If you are an employee, you can join Miss Menopause private Facebook group, where you will find that you are not alone, indeed part of the 100% club. You can also get in touch with Saron MacArthur, Miss Menopause by telephone on 07793291409 or Send an Email
Alessia Miceli 