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Menopause

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Original poster

'Menopause awareness' in the workplace?

107 replies

WinterDeWinter · 30/08/2022 16:47

Hello - I'd really like to see what people thought of this. I'm in a medium-sized third sector organisation and I've been asked to oversee a project to increase 'menopause support and awareness' beginning with a consultation. I'm feeling a bit stumped/resistant and I'm not quite sure why.

If I'm honest I'm not completely convinced that this will be more than a box-ticking / PR exercise, and I'm really unwilling to be the box ticker!

I also worry that it could backfire and that while the (higher than usual number of) 40s/50s women in the organisation would appreciate meaningful accommodations, not all will appreciate the spotlight being on them and some might even find it actively intrusive and unpleasant.

For example, we also employ a higher than average number of young-ish men - would the 'awareness training' be compulsory for all the young men and if so how would it feel to be a menopausal woman in the room?!

I am probably overthinking but I thought I would ask if anyone had experience of anything menopause-related in the workplace and if so, what has worked/not worked? If not, what measures would you want me to make sure went out for consultation if I was your colleague? How would you want this to be approached? It feels fraught with danger!

OP posts:

Surtsey · 31/08/2022 14:44

WinterDeWinter · 30/08/2022 19:47

Gosh, this is quite a dramatic spread of views! Clearly any training that is done needs to take into account the fact that some women really do not want to talk about it.

What about actual accommodations - @Surtsey mentioned control of the aircon and I think you're being serious aren't you, or at least that hot flushes are real and we really do need to be cooler one way or another. And I'm actually quite impressed with @Moonface123 employer offering lighter uniforms (NHS maybe?) I wfh a lot and I'm definitely a lot less phased by the thought of the central heating being off to save energy this winter than the rest of the family...

Has anyone actually been offered or taken time off, or more flexibility, or anything concrete like that in terms of reasonable accommodations? Or had it 'taken into account' if it's impacted properly on your performance? I agree that this can be a really good time for women with fewer distractions, but at the same time I have definitely found myself trailing off mid-sentence in meetings/been embarrassed by other forms of brain fog. I know not everyone experienes this by any means though.

@Bestcatmum haha yes a sign would be goo. and @Surtsey perhaps responsibility for assertiveness training in the workplace should be handed over to menopausal women - I am certainly a lot more likely to be ahem frank than I was.

I was being genuinely serious about the aircon, yes!

Some years ago my desk was under the aircon unit in our office. I was freezing to death and wearing thick cardigans and a scarf all summer while the menopausal woman in the corner several desks away was dripping with sweat. We asked to swap desks and were told no.

Reallyreallyborednow · 31/08/2022 15:35

We asked to swap desks and were told no

what was the reasoning?

i can’t think of anywhere I’ve ever worked where desks weren’t arranged by mutual agreement. Last week a colleague moved desks because it fit better with others working patterns. We didn’t even think to ask management, just a “think I’ll start sitting there because x and y”. No one had any objections and that was it.

Fififizz · 31/08/2022 16:11

I sometimes feel I should have a customised slogan t shirt made, ‘danger, menopausal woman at work….!’ I’m only half joking. 🙈😂

EBearhug · 31/08/2022 18:33

Fififizz · 31/08/2022 16:11

I sometimes feel I should have a customised slogan t shirt made, ‘danger, menopausal woman at work….!’ I’m only half joking. 🙈😂

Mine would say something like, "All this and heavy periods too." Bet the men couldn't do it.

Fififizz · 31/08/2022 20:55

EBearhug · 31/08/2022 18:33

Mine would say something like, "All this and heavy periods too." Bet the men couldn't do it.

Show quote history

I think yours wins…..! It’s not a bundle of laughs is it but bits make me feel more optimistic, like not caring what people think. That’s liberating!

Original poster

WinterDeWinter · 31/08/2022 22:14

This has been an incredibly helpful - and actually really quite gripping! - discussion so far. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to post so many thoughtful and lengthy responses.

OP posts:

AlltheMUMMYintheworld · 05/09/2022 18:44

Don't know if this is of any interest to you ladies (or your firms) but spotted this talk happening next week in London and they have an employment lawyer on the panel... might be a good place to ask these questions with the experts??
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-the-menopause-tickets-397027348487

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