Does all the publicity around menopause help women?

[RaphaelWorks]

It seems to me it just highlights the fact that some women find life really hard going once they approach their 50s and whilst good lip service may be paid to supporting us, the reality is that a woman suffering menopausal symptoms is going to struggle in the work place more than others, which could result in men (and some younger women?) writing us off unnecessarily.

I'm asking because after a life time of finding moving job pretty easy, being made an offer for practically every application I've submitted, I'm suddenly finding that I'm not getting interviews in my 50s.

Anyway, I've just removed the first 10 years' work experience from my CV and changed Olevels to GCEs. I did my degree in my 30s so that makes me look younger than I am!

We shall see if it makes a difference...

My mum had to do your tactic years ago to get interviews when she was in her 50’s. Discrimination against slightly older women is nothing new.

I feel the same. There was a thread on here a couple of years ago, about making workplaces aware of women's difficulties at this age, and how employers need to accommodate menopausal women with fans, time off when they're tearful, etc.

I was horrified. Employers should be sympathetic to ALL employees' health needs, whatever age or sex they are. Highlighting that middle aged women may need extra provision or may sometimes may not be fit for work is appalling, and hugely to the detriment of women and equal opportunities. Menopause has given me a few niggles, but not made me unfit for work, so I'm annoyed that this might be held against me as I plan to return to the workplace.

Nothing new about that - many of us in the commercial world found work dried up when we hit our 50s. Once you have 20 years' experience there's no value in having more than that and you just look old and expensive.

I found public sector (NHS, charities etc) much less ageist. But much less lucrative.

How do the employers that you're applying to know your age?

Usually via your school and employment history.
Example.... employment history from and to?
You write Fred Smith's 1981-1992.
That gives them a rough idea of your age.
It's a clever ploy.

Yes, exactly hence my attempt to disguise it a bit by removing the first 10 years at work and changing Olevels to GCEs in the hope no one notices they're not GCSEs. I have to put them on because English and Maths is a requirement.

You don't put your school/uni dates on, just put your last education so in the OP's case she should just put her degree (no O or A levels) but not the graduation date.

Earlier employment can be listed as bullets without dates and just focus on the most recent (10 years) of employment.

Partly it's better because it avoids a lengthy c.v. (another challenge as you get older unless you've never moved jobs) but it also gives an initial element of protection from age discrimination.

Lots of people write c.v.s like this now. I recruit for my employer (well known global organisation) and this format is completely acceptable.

@HundredMilesAnHour we insist on employment dates from leaving school till present, along with grades obtained at school.

The ageism is there anyway, but I don't think that publicity about the menopause helps.

If all the current publicity about the menopause helps prevent doctors from automatically diagnosing all female patients over the age of 40 with depression instead of recognising peri- and menopausal symptoms for what they are, then yes, I'm all for that sort of publicity.

Surely doctors can be educated without a general publicity campaign?

You would like to think so, wouldn't you? We have only one GP in our practice who 'specislises' in menopause. Other GPs just write a script for AD and send you on your way.

And for those women who only experience a 'few niggles' obviously don't know how debilitating the menopause can cause for many women, from the physical to the emotional and mental. It's great if many of us 'sail' through but there are many others who don't and need all the help, support and understanding of an employer. I personally think the more they're aware, the better for those who are struggling but have to hide the fact they're struggling for fear of being discriminated against. But of course, I acknowledge that discrimation is still rife regardless and am not sure what the answer to that is. But I do know not highlighting the issue is not the way forward

As to the employment issue, I think you'll find variations of this has been going on for many years. I once (briefly) dated a man who was responsible for lookimg at CVs and interviewing and hiring. In the 'no way' pile were cvs from anyone over 45, man or woman, females of childbearing age, young 'whippersnapper' who had just left uni and had no work experience etc. The only people he wanted on his team were men in their 20s and 30s. He got a shock when he was made redundant at age 47 and had to start looking for a new job!

@Dontbelieveawordofit , it's the publicity that makes it sound like all women suffer from debilitating symptoms that I dislike. I dislike the labelling of women as peri-menopausal, menopausal or post-menopausal in contexts where our fertility and hormones are not relevant.

This would not work in your favour should the company find itself at employment tribunal for age discrimination 🙄

If you are applying for a job in education they want details of everything and reasons for gaps in employment so would be hard to hide your age. I assume older men find it difficult in the marketplace too

I've not come across anyone publicising that EVERY woman suffers debilitating symptoms. You have obviously seen or heard campaigns haven't and have a different opinion.
But even if this is correct, I'd rather it be publicised than not. It's shocking how many women are unaware that a lot of their symptoms are as a result of the menopause exactly because our GP's are so ignorant of them themselves. They are all being gaslighted into thinking they're so symptims aren't real or are as a result of depression or anxiety. I believe a lot of women who go through the menopause with little or no problem are also guilty of this.
And even when they're finally believed, getting the correct treatment is a nightmare and a long, slow process. If employers need to know that these women need a little understanding and support while this is ongoing, I can't see it being a bad thing.
But I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

I'm late 50s and have been offered four good jobs in the last decade and the last three new starters at my work have all been 60!

I was very lucky to "sail through" the menopause but I have two colleagues who are suffering badly but it doesn't affect their work.

I do wonder if all the talk about it isn't a shot in the foot though.

I changed jobs at 43 thinking this would be my last move because after that age no-one will want me. Disgusting really.

It also wouldn't work in our favour if we found ourselves in court for not doing thorough checks on the applicants.

One would have assumed that they would already have excellent knowledge of symptoms that can have a massive effect on half the population, but judging by the hundreds of threads by menopausal women on MN who have been fobbed off time and time again by their GPs, it appears not.