To think this is fine to talk about in a work email

[SandAndSeals]

I’ve NC as this is potentially outing.

An awareness email went out to colleagues about the menopause. Is the email, it lists the symptoms inc. hot flushes, low mood etc and also ‘vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive’.

My colleague has put a complaint email in about it as they don’t think it’s appropriate to mention vaginal dryness is a workplace email. However I disagree. It’s a common symptom and should be listed in an awareness article. You would take out ‘difficulty holding an erection’ when discussing prostate cancer, for example.

The Health team send out other emails about out conditions and illnesses depending on what’s being asked for. I’m in the Women’s Network so I know that menopause info has been asked for.

What do you think? AIBU or is she?

all this "Mental health awareness" is one of the reasons I've never disclosed my MH issues.

anyway, if there's going to be a policy - and it sounds like there is - wouldn't it better to wait till it's actually set as part of HR/sickness policy and then just alert people then?

going back to original query about the specifics of "vaginal dryness" tbh I can see why the person complained but I also don't want "check your balls" emails either!

I don’t understand what your problem with awareness articles are, Sofagirl. There are big public health campaigns on many issues so it’s not surprising that workplaces will talk about them too (have you really never worked in a place where colleagues have fundraised for Movember or created raffles for Breast cancer awareness - all of those will be about raising awareness so will talk about how it effects suffers).

Big charities like the BHF have literature literally designed for sharing in the workplace. Why not talk about it?

The menopause is something that will effect more people in the workplace then any other issue. Why is it something we shouldn’t talk about? Everyone accepts that work needs to be done on MH (which I agree) but still, statistically the menopause will actually affect a higher percentage of the working population then MH will. It’s bizarre that people thing it’s not needed at all.

I don’t have an issue with awareness articles but what makes one more worthy than another?

all this "Mental health awareness" is one of the reasons I've never disclosed my MH issues.

MH awareness exists because of the stigma that people were facing - it is precisely because MH awareness campaigns that people feel they can talk about issues. There was a time, not too long ago, where if someone disclosed they had a MH condition they were dismissed as a ‘headcase’ or some other highly negative phrase. People were dismissed because managers didn’t understand MH. Things have thankfully started to change and it’s because these campaigns exist.

Our workplace do a lot, but it’s not enough. And the feedback is that employees with MH problems want more awareness out there so it becomes the norm. That managers are bombarded with guidance on how to talk about issues sensitively with the right awareness. That services exist or signposting is available for employees to get support. None of this would happen without the awareness campaigns.

I think Trans awareness will be the next big thing in the workplace

It’s already all over the public media so I guess it’s just a matter of time.

The menopause is something that will effect more people in the workplace then any other issue. Why is it something we shouldn’t talk about?

I absolutely guarantee that an “awareness campaign” is not going to get people chatting comfortably about menopause at work.

Sofagirl, most of our drives are from Public Health so that would generally be why - central government say they are important so we follow this.

The menopause affects 50% of the workforce. despite this, people are embarrassed to talk about, or don’t know anything about it (the amount of posters who think vaginal dryness is only a problem during sex is actually alarming).

Seems like the NHS Wales policy applies to anyone dealing with any health problem especially chronic ones. Eg:

"[Principle is to] create an environment where individuals feel confident enough to raise issues about their symptoms and ask for support
and adjustments at work. "

We have an equality team who cover the LGBTQ. They already do awareness campaigns and events around trans.

OP "And the feedback is that employees with MH problems want more awareness out there so it becomes the norm"

yes, I do wonder this. But there will equally be a lot of employees like me who won't disclose it to you and therefore will never be telling you "we want more awareness" or "we don't want more awareness" because we're not telling you

I do also think there's a huge amount of discrimination and to some extent that will never go away. MH awareness, if it gets more employees to talk about their own issues, is probably very helpful to senior management to know about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why yes, I am cynical after 25+ years in the workplace

Can I just clarify here - I understood Menopause to be a natural part of ageing

It’s not an illness or disease?

All of you lot saying vaginal dryness wouldn't affect work - for many women symptoms are so bad - way beyond dryness - that it seriously affects work and every aspect of life. Imagine having thrush and cystitis simultaneously. Your vulval skin is splitting. You can't sit comfortably, or walk. You need the loo all the time. Now tell me that's not relevant to work.

We have an equality team who cover the LGBTQ. They already do awareness campaigns and events around trans.

Our trust actively promotes the above.

I'm an NHS employee - we get regular emails 'promoting' a health issue each week with links to our intranet page for more information - surely if you're interested/can relate you click the link? Prostate cancer/testicular cancer absolutely has been highlighted, however there isn't a 'lowdown' in the email detail symptoms etc, just a link to click on for more info.

Menopause was the latest but no 'symptoms' etc in the email, just the normal link to intranet for more info..

As you were

Some women sail thru without problem symptoms & really don't want to be treated like invalids when nothing is happening. Menopause is individual, it isn't a significant problem for many.

I’m quite passionate about MH and I do understand your concern. I have noticed a shift in the years I’ve worked here and there is improvement but naturally you do still get managers who think it’s made up and they need to just get on with it. Luckily we have a very robust MH policy and HR need to be involved in any disciplinary action so manager’s prejudices tend to get picked up early.

However I suppose it does also depend on where you work. Definitely in many pockets of the public sector there’s the public accountability to be shown as inclusive and fair and I’d hope this would encourage employees to be open about how they feel. I’d imagine there are many, many workplaces where the culture is still ‘share and be sacked’.

*Sofagirl Wed 01-May-19 22:59:09
Can I just clarify here - I understood Menopause to be a natural part of ageing

It’s not an illness or disease?*

It certainly wasn't suggested as such in my trust Sofa - more an awareness campaign, amongst many others.

Breast awareness was another a couple of months ago - all under the trust caring about its staffs' health and wellbeing - a tick box exercise for the CQC so a trust can be seen to be looking after the health and wellbeing of its employees.

I could certainly do with a good shag, but I don't think my manager needs to know that

He might not need to but he might want to.....

I'd be mortified if my workplace sent out emails like that, I don't go to the GP to add them about statistics so I don't need my workplace to tell me about healthcare.

^ask not add

*Can I just clarify here - I understood Menopause to be a natural part of ageing

It’s not an illness or disease?*

The symptoms can detriment a woman’s wellbeing and health, as you full well know. Are you suggesting because it’s not a direct illness (though you could certainly consider some of the symptoms illnesses) a Health and Well-being team shouldn’t talk about it?

I don’t understand your point tbh

Re the menopause, I tend to agree there's a danger that awareness of menopause, especially if there'e also awareness around periods, could be interpreted as "women between the ages of 16 and 60 are likely to be hormonal and suffering from physical symptoms that make them less than 100% effective, for a large proportion of their working lives" - then we'll back in the employment dark ages!

I agree with the PP who said (I'm paraphrasing) what's really needed is a working environment in which all staff feel supported, regardless of whatever health condition they may have.

When I started looking at the menopause I had very little clue of what the symptoms were so I was pleased to see the psychological symptoms listed in the Wales TUC menopause toolkit. These symptoms are the least talked about and often the ones that can affect you the most. Dr’s aren’t trained on this and are handing out antidepressants like sweeties when they should be recognising this more as a menopausal symptom and giving appropriate medication.

Also workplaces do need to be knowledgable in this area. When you’ve worked all your life to finally feel like you are credible in your workplace, then get it all whipped away from under your feet by the menopause, the workplace needs to support you to work flexibly if you suffer insomnia, or change uniforms from disgusting man made fabrics so that we don’t boil in them. Not counting leave we have to take to go to dr’s appointments as sickness but as disability leave is helpful and i’m glad that workplaces are waking up to this. Mental health suffers massively for lots of us during the menopause and workplaces have a duty of care to us as well as the other way around. I’ve spent my career looking after their bottom line, they can spend a few years looking after me.

The menopause is something that will effect more people in the workplace then any other issue.

I question that. I'd say being a parent would be higher. You are talking about things that affect your performance at work? Being up in the night with small babies meant I was getting far less sleep than any menopause symptom.

I don’t understand what your problem with awareness articles are, Sofagirl.
Not sure why you are particularly going for SofaGirl, and I can't speak for her, but I have already said (and plenty of others agreed) that work is for work. I don't have time for 'awareness raising' of anybody's pet cause.

statistically the menopause will actually affect a higher percentage of the working population then MH will.
The menopause affects 50% of the workforce

I think you are confusing the fact that 50% of people will go through the menopause with people struggling through the menopause. Rather like the people that really struggle with their period each month who seem to think it is something everyone "suffers" and that everyone will have pain or cramps or other symptoms. It isn't the case. Many, many people get through the menopause without anyone else - particularly work colleagues - being aware.

I reiterate what I said earlier - companies / organisationss should aim to foster a culture where whatever the issue an employee is going through, they feel that, if work could make any adjustments to help, they know who to approach to ask, and they feel confident a change or adjustment will be made.

OP " naturally you do still get managers who think it’s made up and they need to just get on with it"

interestingly I was thinking the opposite - that senior management like to know because they will avoid promoting those people

I've never worked in the public sector. I tend to imagine that in the private sector, there's always the risk of being stabbed in the front, which is an easier thing to mitigate than being stabbed in the back....I have been encouraged to try public sector for many reasons, not least pension arrangements, but tbh this kind of thing is very offputting.

I'm just thinking, imagine if I'd returned to work after extended leave when dad had cancer and then been greeted by cancer awareness posters. That's got to be grim.

I mentioned in a previous post that I can see the point of menopause sickness being treated in the same way as pregnancy sickness - that poster hasn't returned but I'm wondering if you have to hand over the results of your hormone tests, presumably you do.

but policy aside, what's the point with "awareness" thing? If I'm having health problems of any kind, what's wrong with just telling my manager and HR if need be?

I often feel like women are treated as a uterus in high heels, to quote Gabby from Desperate Housewives. I don't think this kind of thing helps.

All of you lot saying vaginal dryness wouldn't affect work - for many women symptoms are so bad - way beyond dryness - that it seriously affects work and every aspect of life. Imagine having thrush and cystitis simultaneously. Your vulval skin is splitting. You can't sit comfortably, or walk. You need the loo all the time. Now tell me that's not relevant to work

But why do your colleagues need to know the reasons for this. Can’t you just go to the loo without explaining yourself? Can’t you have sick days without full disclosure? Can’t we be trusted to see doctors outside of work and get our health problems dealt with? Why on earth is this something our colleagues need to support us with? It’s infantilising.

"But why do your colleagues need to know the reasons for this. Can’t you just go to the loo without explaining yourself? Can’t you have sick days without full disclosure? Can’t we be trusted to see doctors outside of work and get our health problems dealt with? Why on earth is this something our colleagues need to support us with? It’s infantilising."

exactly. People have all kinds of health problems and having any sense of dignity at work - e.g being able to pop to the loo at any time during a meeting - is the way to cover that.

part of the problem is HR and their bloody Bradford patterns etc so some people feel it's easier to get put in a box and therefore get the protections. But again, this is about the email "awareness" and it isn't actually a policy yet.