Eight out of ten women going through the menopause are currently at work in the UK, with one in four experiencing serious symptoms. The mixture of mental and physical effects combined with the existing taboo of discussing menopause openly in the workplace can make this a difficult transition for many menopausal employees. With recent research showing that women over 50 are the fastest growing demographic in the UK workforce, the impact of the menopause cannot and should not be ignored by employers.
Liverpool Solicitors Morecrofts have joined with leading equity charity The Women’s Organisation to release their new Menopause Toolkit for SME employers.
The toolkit is part of the Women’s Workplace Wellness project set up in response to the first ever Women’s Health Strategy in 2022, and is included in a bank of resources created to to help SMEs support women’s reproductive health in the workplace, around issues such as menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause.
“Working with legal experts Morecrofts has allowed us to combine legal expertise with our knowledge of what women need to economically thrive. The toolkit can help businesses to do the best by their employees and be recognised as a menopause friendly employer while encouraging productivity and protecting their business’. – Lisa McMullan, Director for Development at The Women’s Organisation.
Since its launch earlier this year, the Women’s Workplace Wellness project has made contact with over 800 professionals across sectors who have access to over 300 organisations. All resources are expert-led, informed by academic research, the government’s Women’s Health Strategy, and existing employment evidence from SMEs.
Menopause in the workplace UK policy
At present, Menopause is not a protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010, however, sex, age, and disability are all characteristics that offer protection to employees experiencing menopause, safeguarding them against unfair treatment.
In 2021, recommendations were made by representatives from various fields to support those experiencing menopause in the workplace. These included changes in Government policies and employer practice. The new toolkit addresses the recommendations made to improve the state of menopause support in the workplace, and information on current menopause in the workplace UK policy.
Dr Paula Briggs, leading expert in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Chair of the British Menopause Society, says:
“There are lots of different women with lots of different medical histories and being inclusive is really important. Having a policy is a good thing, not necessarily because you have that piece of paper but because it demonstrates to your workforce that you are investing in women who have menopausal symptoms.”
What is included in the Toolkit?
The Menopause Toolkit provides advice and information on the following:
- How Menopause can affect work
- How to support employees through Menopause
- Creating a culture of openness
- Workplace adjustments
- Flexible working times
- Providing training
- Creation policies and guidance for management and employees alike
- Increase awareness throughout the workplace
- Sickness
- Risk Assessment for Menopause
The toolkit also includes clear examples, case studies, and a page of helpful links.
Women’s Workplace Wellness is targeted towards SMEs but has seen interest from larger organisations, suggesting a need for support around menopause at work that transcends company size.
In 2024 is set to be a year for building awareness around women’s health and positive employer practices. Women’s Workplace Wellness is here to support your organisation to create a positive environment for your team.
For more information, get in touch with the team at hello@thewo.org.uk or follow us on LinkedIn by clicking here.
You can access the Menopause Toolkit for SME Employers for FREE here.
Sources:
menopauseintheworkplace.co.uk
Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
Women’s Health Strategy for England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)