Guest blog by Medigold Health’s Disability Training and Consultancy leader, Kath Wood.
As a 50-something woman you would think I would be perfectly placed to understand menopause in the workplace. But until I started researching the topic about 6 years ago, I didn’t know anything about it – well I thought it was just hot flushes to be honest!
So, if you are younger, or if you are male – please don’t feel like you have been left behind. There is no secret club, no insider knowledge because you are female – just life experience. The knowledge most women have about menopause comes from lived experience – their own or that of those very close to them.
Sex education and biology at school introduce you to the reproductive system, but the focus is on anatomy and not getting pregnant. Yes, they explain the impact of hormones on your body when they increase, but there is little mention of the effects of hormones on your body and brain through the menstrual cycle, and no one ever mentions what happens when the hormones decrease. And of course, if you are of my generation, our mothers rarely talked about such personal issues at all – let alone with their children! It is still a taboo subject, and many women are still reluctant to share their struggles with family and close friends, let alone their employer.
Finally, we are discussing the menopause more openly – thanks in large part to celebrities sharing their experiences. We are starting to recognise the impact that the menopause transition is having on women in society and the workplace. No business can afford to ignore a topic that affects so many of their most talented and experienced older female employees. Usually, by the time you reach the age when menopause can impact, you are at the peak of your career. With 40 plus symptoms affecting almost every body part and every element of women’s personal and professional lives, businesses needs to take action if they want to retain that talent and support the wellbeing and performance of women in the workforce.
Here are a few steps I suggest you take to address menopause in the workplace:
Raise awareness– Sharing information widely across the business is a good place to start. Not only does it start educating people on this ‘mysterious’ topic, it also shows a commitment from the business and that women will be supported if they come forward and disclose symptoms.
Training – Line managers and HR colleagues should be trained on the topic of menopause so they understand the symptoms and their impact on women at work. We also want them to be aware of how difficult it is for women to open up about menopause. With the right knowledge, they can initiate supportive conversations and offer the necessary support.
Flexible working – Having the ability to work at different times and different locations can be a huge help to women experiencing menopause symptoms. Most organisations will have this policy already in place so it is just a case of understanding how this could benefit individuals.
Workplace adjustments – These simple and often free changes to the workplace are the ‘right thing to do.’ Every employer has a responsibility for the health wellbeing and safety of their employees. But there are many positives to businesses, too – implementing adjustments helps you to retain talent in the business, reduce sickness absence, and improve productivity. Failing to make reasonable adjustments could also lead to claims of gender or disability discrimination.
Services and resources – Many businesses already offer resources for general health and wellbeing issues, such as online GPs, Occupational Health services, and Employee Assistance Programmes. Even sharing links to specialist organisations can be very helpful for women who don’t have access to any support and don’t know where to turn.
Additional women’s health concerns
I also think it is important to talk about the wider topic of women’s reproductive health. There are a range of other health issues, aside from the menopause, which are related to reproductive health that can have a significant impact on women’s health and work including:
• Heavy and painful periods
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Fertility / infertility
• Pregnancy and miscarriage
If you want to help women in your workplace thrive or need some specialist advice on the aforementioned health issues, Medigold Health offers a comprehensive training course to equip your managers with the knowledge and confidence to provide the right support and adjustments.
Click here to download our free menopause in the workplace resource, and get in touch for more information on our training!
Upcoming highlights: Don’t miss out!
We are excited to let you know that we have a variety of events due to take place soon, including our ‘free to attend’ webinars that have been specifically scheduled in line with the upcoming national events.
These webinars will help you grow your knowledge and confidence within the subject area, as well as provide you with a recorded copy of the webinar following attendance to enable you to share this with colleagues.
In addition to our webinars, several ‘open courses’ are scheduled over the coming months that still have places available. So, feel free to explore these options and get your place secured to avoid missing out!
Ready to dive into a world of learning and development?
Scroll down to see our full lineup, and book your place today!
| Service Type | Title | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Course | Mental Health First Aid Refresher | 4th, 5th September 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Open Course | Suicide First Aid Lite | 26th – 27th September 2024 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm |
| Open Course | Mental Health First Aid Full | 24th, 26th September & 1st, 3rd October 2024 | 09:30am – 13:00pm |
| Open Course | Mental Health First Aid Full | 22nd, 24th, 29th, 31st October 2024 | 09:30am – 13:00pm |
| Open Course | Menopause in the Workplace | 28th, 29th October 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Open Course | Dyslexia Awareness | 30th, 31st October 2024 | 09:30am – 12:00pm |
| Open Course | Disability & Health for Managers | 18th, 19th November 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Open Course | Mental Health First Aid Full | 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th November 2024 | 09:30am – 13:00pm |
| Open Course | Neurodiversity Awareness for Managers | 21st, 22nd November | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Open Course | Mental Health First Aid Full | 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th December 2024 | 09:30am – 14:00pm |
| Open Course | Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace | 28th, 29th November 2024 | 09:30am – 12:00pm |
*Course includes E Learning Modules required to be completed prior to attendance at live sessions
We’re here to help…
If you’re looking for more information about our comprehensive training courses, insightful webinars, or valuable resources, we’re just a message away. Don’t hesitate to reach out for any queries or guidance you might need.
Our friendly training team are always ready to assist you with expert advice and support.
Alternatively, complete the short form on the right and a member of the team will be in touch!
