How Can Your Organisation Support Menopause in the Workplace?
How to help your workplace be menopause savvy?
Are your staff aware of menopause, the phases, stages and how symptoms can impact their ability to function well at work? Spread the word amongst your teams about menopause 101 training for employees. Whilst there’s no choice when women go into menopause there is a choice about showing support for all employees and being a menopause-friendly employer seen to value staff, close the gender pay gap and keep the talent and knowledge of this key sector of the workforce.
Positive messaging & nurturing a menopause-friendly working environment
Look at your communications. Is information and advice regarding menopause widely available within your organisation?
Create an open culture where employees know that they can talk about their situation and can access appropriate, confidential support in the workplace should they choose to do so. Ensure that menopause is included in your well-being offering.
Questions to consider:
What do you have in place already?
Can welfare facilities be improved?
Are there quiet, clean spaces?
Is there easy access to fans or windows?
Is cold drinking water available?
Could you provide emergency free period products?
What other low-cost amendments could help?
What’s in place to support menopause in your workplace?
It’s likely that even if you don’t have a menopause policy in place there will be other policies in place that will support menopause such as wellbeing, flexible working and other inclusive policies that can cover menopause
How could you support staff to work differently or more flexibly in menopause?
Looking at your workforce profile. Do you have staff going through menopause at work or who may experience menopause symptoms in the future? Have you considered flexible working options?
There is a range of options - from working remotely where the role allows, cutting hours and days, splitting shifts, and job sharing, to staggering or compressing hours.
Flexible working arrangements don’t need to be permanent. They will need to be re-evaluated regularly. Being a more flexible employer in today’s workplace will help your staff and your business in the long term. It will enhance your reputation as an employer, protect the business from employment tribunal claims and retain staff who know that they are valued and supported. Our Menopause Awareness WorkPlace Training will help your organisation to be the supportive employer that listens to and meets the needs of the workforce going through menopause – a natural event for half the population!
Want to know more, or share this with your employer, check out our Workplace Training options.
Email us to book a call so we can discuss your organisations requirements: business@positivepause.co.uk
