Menopause policy at work

[LuciferRising]

Reading this new policy because I thought it could help me. I work in the CS. However, it talks about it impacting cis-gendered women. Is it even safe to challenge this?

Well it’s not even true really. Menopause can affect trans women - it’s all about hormones…

Well it says it predominantly impacts cis-gendered women.

Oh. So what’s your complaint? That they call women cis-gendered?

Yes. I am not cis gendered.

It would affect all females going through the menopause, surely? Regardless of any "cis" considerations. It's a biological issue... cis is about gender roles? Ask them how they think it might affect women/females who don't identify as cis perhaps?

How exactly does menopause affect trans women? You do know that men and women have different levels of different hormones?

Can women who don't identify as cis- gendered women opt out of the menopause then?
Thought not.
Do you want to point out to them that the menopause doesn't really care about your identity.

But tbf, my employers insist that menopause affects EVERYBODY, because men live and work with women who are going through it, and we can't ignore their feelz now, can we?

Like men who say 'we are pregnant' 😡

It's not just about hormones either. It's also about hormone receptors. I bet a lot of money that men and women have oestrogen receptive tissues in different places.

What? How?

Our menopause policy doesn’t even have the word woman or female. I’m trying to get on a diversity panel and I’m hoping I can change it through that. If not, I’m going to start nagging HR.

To accept being called ‘cis’ you have to accept gender identity ideology. It is exclusionary language. Also, menopause affects trans-identifying women ( especially if they are on cross-sex hormones), so again it is exclusionary.

The only people that should be left out are trans-identifying men. Taking cross-sex hormones can give them similar symptoms to the menopause, but it’s not menopause.

Trans women are men so no they do not have any symptoms of menopause.

OP I guess what you are saying is that they are implying that females who ID as men won't get the menopause. Which they will because they are female. Unfortunately they are actually likely to get it decades earlier and they are likely to suffer for many decades more than women who do not decide to take drugs and have mastectomies and hysterectomies.

Do they actually define 'cis' anywhere? I'd possibly go back with if they are trying to be all 'woke' and imply that women are a subset of their own sex, they need to work alot harder than just add 'cis' in front of women to a policy. They could just say 'women'. It is a rather half hearted attempt and I'd guess they are just waiting to see if anyone pushes back. So ask them what they mean by 'cis' for a start. Then ask them what if you aren't CIS, will you be getting the menpause and what the policy is for women who are just women, not CIS and not trans.

No, it may effect trans men, they may in fact go through premature menopause if they are on cross sex hormones. Trans women will never experience menopause, at most they may have some side effects if they stop taking cross sex hormones.Cis isn't a commonly understood term to most people, its rejected by others, using this term in policy just confuses and excludes

Trans women vs. Cis women

Trans women is a shorthand term for transgender women. It defines women who were assigned a male sex at birth but exist as women. If you identify as a woman and you're not a transgender woman, you're likely a cis woman

Well there you go - we’ve been redefined!

They state symptoms can impact transgender people and hence will use gender-neutral language. It is also not a gender or age issue. It impacts everyone directly or indirectly, however, predominately cis-gendered women.

In definitions of meno, peri etc they then use the term person.

It then says the policy does not include info on those undergoing hormone treatment for 'gender' transition. (didn't know hormones changed your gender?)

Employees is then used as the gender-neutral term, and I'm not overly bothered by that. It's more the cis term.

There is actually an inclusion impact policy at the back and it says there is limited evidence that other people may be negatively impacted by the policy.

No it doesn't

It affects all females irrespective of their gender identities

Those with male gender identities may experience it much earlier if they take medical actions to align their body with their identity

How is it neutral ?

At a time of life when a females biology really matters you are being told because you are not cis gendered you are somehow wierd ?

Do they really thing most menopausal women identify as cis gendered ?

How ridiculous. So normal biological women who are not cis as they do not identify as anything just are themselves, so not cis some sort of stupid barbie term, don't have the menopause then? All gender non conforming women are not in the group predominantly affected? Utter nonsense and it is actually offensive.

I think I am going to challenge by asking for a definition.

The use of the term cis is discriminatory as it trys to define women as a subset to shoe horn men into the term woman.
It's the start of a slippery slope for you at work. And a clear signal from management that they don't uphold single sex provisions for you as per the law.
It's a red flag.
Make sure you have your camera on mace ready next time you try to use the loo.
Hugs

We have these groups where I work. Unfortunately, GC views equate to being transphoic.

*transphobic.

How exactly? I would like to know specifically how a male can go through menopause please.

At least your policy mentioned the word 'women'. We had a huge email from HR about menopause awareness week and not once did the word 'woman' appear, there were about 20 references to "people impacted by.....", "people who suffer from...." though.

@LuciferRising using employees as a gender neutral term is very standard in CS policies and not one I would challenge.

I do think you could challenge Cis and particularly Cisgendered women. Suggest they use women, trans men and non-binary OFAB (Observed female at/before birth). Make it clear AFAB is considered offensive to people with DSD (Disorder/difference of Sex Development)

You may be able to lift some information from this guidance by Sex Matters sex-matters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Media-handbook.pdf#page9