Menopause and Flexible working request

[Cirularsore]

Hi all, I’m in the process of submitting a flexible working request to work fully remote. My role can (and has for some years) been suitable for remote working. Late last year saw a return to the office 2 days pw - it’s a struggle. I’m quite senior and I know there are no doubts about my performance and output but there are lots of flex requests being made, mostly around childcare so I need to make mine as robust as possible.

Does anyone have any experience of/success with this? I don’t believe that my employers could make the adjustments that working at home gives me (including silence - the office is open plan and my Apple Watch frequently warns me of the noise levels!)

Any insights would be appreciated.

There's a list of reasons that a flexible working request can legally be declined. Look this up and make sure you can argue why they don't apply if it's declined. If it's declined your employer will have to explain which of the reason(s) it is. If flexible working has been granted to others, this can also strengthen your case.

I made a flexible working request that was declined, but I appealed successfully by writing a letter rebuffung the claimed reason, and citing others who had been granted flexible working.

Good luck!

What steps have you taken already that could reduce your symptoms? What are the symptoms?
Have you had consultation about medication (HRT) or alternative options?
I assume you'd have to give some evidence of what steps you've taken.

I’m on HRT, it has some impact as on the odd occasion I’ve forgotten to put a patch on, I’ve felt absolutely grim, rather just grim. I had an endometrial ablation over 10 years ago, so it’s difficult to know where my cycle is at and I may be on the wrong type, so I’ve made a private appointment to see the leading women’s sexual health doctor in my area. I take collagen, vitamin D, B12, MCT, turmeric and curcumin and magnesium. I’ve overhauled my diet and improved my sleep hygiene. I force myself to walk 2 miles a day. I really could not be doing more to help myself. All that is in my request.

I am awaiting a BRCA test due to my sister’s diagnosis of a pelvic cancer and I’m terrified of lots of things connected to that including if I’m deemed too high risk for ongoing HRT.

The 14th floor open plan office I work in cannot accommodate any of the actions I take every day on my home working days to help alleviate my symptoms. My symptoms are poor concentration/brain fog, joint pain, some hot flashes, disrupted sleep and fatigue. I’ve learnt to 20 min Power Nap at lunch on home days after a particularly bad sleep.

Thank you. I am 100% certain none of the decline reasons apply to my situation. Our policy does say that others being granted the flex doesn’t set a precedent for anyone else.

Open plan offices are hell! I literally can’t hear myself think especially with multiple Teams calls going on. They are always too warm as well. I just wish I could retire at 60 but will have to wait another 11 years 😭.

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad.

Has your GP not suggested increasing your estrogen? It just sounds like the HRT isn't working so a higher dose is needed. You can go up to a 100mcg patch or 4 pumps of gel.

Often if symptoms are not 100% resolved that's the solution. There is currently no evidence that higher doses of estrogen = higher risks of cancer.

Obviously on HRT there is no natural 'cycle' as the HRT overrides natural cycles and created an HRT cycle.
Maybe when you see the menopause specialist you've got lined up she will suggest that and it will improve.

We recently had a "standardisation" implemented. I did both a Reasonable Adjustments and a Flexible Working Request and the best I was offered was 2 days at home, the rest on site.

Absolutely gutted and it's a low paid role as well, I only took the job because it was WFH/Flexible.

Thanks, yes I’m hoping the consultation will help. In terms of cycle, when I first requested HRT (which was approved via e consult and a quick phone call and I’ve never had a face to face with the gp) I told them I don’t know when my last period was as I hadn’t bled for years due to the ablation and that’s generally how I’d remember when my period was. I know I was still ovulating as I continued to get other symptoms but with no bleeding to accompany it, I could never keep track (and didn’t think to record it). Having spoken to a very knowledgeable friend, she suggested I was on the wrong one. I contacted the GP to see about changing and was told by the practice nurse that she’d text the doctor I’m now paying to see privately for advice. That’s when I was put on the current one but it’s not doing the job. So I’ve decided to go straight to that doctor privately.

You're either on sequential which is for women still having periods (even rarely) or continuous combined which is for women post meno /aged over 54.

The fact you've had an ablation doesn't equal=post menopause, it just means your womb lining doesn't grow.

This could be as simple as increasing your patch or moving onto gel which you can vary yourself without having to ask for a different patch.

I hope you get on okay.

I also struggle with noise and difficulty concentrating. Also constantly being interrupted and distractions that are just not there at home. It is impossible to keep focus and exhausting trying to keep things on track working like this.

@JinglingSpringbellsI’m on continuous and believe I should be on sequential in that case. Under 54 and have been aware of sporadic PMT symptoms, just no bleeding due to ablation. It seems despite me telling the GP this, they have indeed equated no bleeding with post menopause , when no bleeding is down to no womb lining.

Sounds as if you should be!

In many ways it suits some women better because it's estrogen-only for 2 weeks (this can be extended under medical supervision, to 3 weeks or even 4) then progesterone for 12-14 days.

There is also more flexibility with doses because (as far as I know) I think combined patches stop at 50mcgs, whereas with a separate estrogen patch or gel you can go much higher.

This explains it well.https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php Estrogen only- up to 100mcgs or 4 pumps gel.

Obviously with an estrogen only patch you have to use a separate progesterone which can by micronised progesterone, or the Mirena coil, or the mini pill ( 3 a day) or Norethisterone tablets.

That’s really helpful @JinglingSpringbells- thank you!