DocHQ’s Post

What support does your organisation offer to help you to manage your menopause symptoms at work? The BSI standards of Menstruation, Menstrual Health and Menopause, launched in July 2023, and the recent guidance from the EHRC in February 2024, mean that employers are having to look at the support they offer their female employees. The BSI guidance is excellent and covers just about every area of support you could possibly think of. For large corporations that’s easy as they have more slack in the system to give menstrual or menopause leave but for an SME with fewer staff that can cause issues with running their business. So my advice is assess the guidance and work out what you can do. In the 2022 Peppy research 37% of employers offered mental wellbeing support targeted at their midlife women but here are some others areas you can look at: ✅Develop a Menopause Wellbeing Policy - this is a simple way to support staff and is the first step towards becoming more menopause ready. ✅Offer adjustments to support women - this could be simple things like ensuring there are desks located near air conditioning to help cool hot flushes, or that women can easily access a desk fan. ✅Offer manager and colleague training on menopause - the greater the understanding the easier it will be for women to feel supported and heard. The training will develop confidence in colleagues and managers to speak up or start a supportive conversation. ✅Make sure that your toilet facilities are well stocked with period products - for women experiencing flooding during perimenopause, knowing that period products are available widely and they don’t have to ask for them, or ask for time to go out during the day to purchase more, can be a life saver. ✅Think about your flexible working policies - can you enable women to work from home or vary their hours if their menopausal symptoms are impacting their sleep patterns. Many women struggle with disturbed or no sleep through perimenopause which makes getting up to go to the office more difficult. Working from home occasionally could alleviate that pressure. For more support and advice on how to make your organisation more menopause ready, please DM for a discovery call. https://lnkd.in/eRKYxhQT #menopauseatwork #menopauseintheworkplace #womensupportingwomen #womenswellbeing

According to a recent CIPD report (2023), over 73% of employees have experienced symptoms related to #menopause, with only 7% openly communicating with their managers about it. As part of this #commitment, EzeRx regularly organizes insightful discussions on topics vital to #employeehealth and #empowerment, including menopause and menstruation. See our latest LiveMint article, where Partha Pratim Das Mahapatra, Founder and CEO of EzeRx thoughtfully crafted the importance of offering understanding, #empathy, and practical support to #colleagues experiencing #menopausal symptoms. https://lnkd.in/ghv8Uyiw #EzeRx #EzeCheck #Healthtech #EzeRxTech. #healthcarerevolution #healthcare #healthprofessionals #healthcaretechnology #NextEraofHealthcare #medicaltechnology #femaleempowerment #femaleleadership #womeninbusiness #womenempowement #womenhealth

🌟 Essential Insights: The Underestimated Impact of Menopause in the Workplace Menopause is more than a personal health issue; it's a workplace concern affecting productivity and engagement. Here are some compelling statistics: • 100% of Women: Every woman will experience menopause, impacting the entire workforce. • 22% Speak Up: Only 22% of employees have openly discussed menopause at work.² • 90% Performance Affected: A staggering 90% feel their menopausal symptoms negatively impact their work. • 1 in 3 Consider Changes: Many consider reducing hours or leaving their job due to menopause symptoms.¹ • 34 Known Symptoms: These include hot flushes, difficulty concentrating, and brain fog, affecting daily activities. 🔍 Recent findings reveal a profound but often overlooked issue: menopause's impact on employee well-being and productivity. Here are some eye-opening facts: • Menopause symptoms can lead to a noticeable drop in productivity. • Many employees feel unsupported during menopause, affecting engagement and retention. • Implementing strategies like educating managers, conducting surveys, and appointing a menopause champion are crucial. 💡 Solutions to Consider: Educational Workshops: Raise awareness and understanding among all employees. Menopause Policies: Implementing specific policies can provide targeted support. Health and Wellbeing Support: Access to healthcare professionals specializing in menopause. Flexible Working Arrangements: Catering to varying needs and symptoms. Supportive Culture: Fostering an environment where employees feel safe to discuss their experiences. 👩💼 By embracing these changes, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture. Let's discuss and share experiences! #WorkplaceInclusion #MenopauseAwareness #EmployeeWellbeing" ¹Survey of 1,132 women from Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre,  ²2019 2 Study of 2,000 UK employees by Peppy in September 2021

Perimenopause is fu*!ing me up massively. -Heavy bleeding has restarted. -Endless bleeding, after a hiatus of 7.5 months. -Painful cramps. No bloody respite even as the body turned 50 few days back!! Hormones are on a scary ride gone wrong. Mood screwed up totally. Relations with the child, man and even the dog strained to the extent that i do not want to exit from my burrow. And, so, it felt extra soothing, extra healing today to walk on the beach, bare feet, in the rain, with wild waves for company. I had the beach to myself! Sharing this video for you to soak in the sound of the waves. Walking in the rain did not do much to quieten the voices in my head though. I reflected on how we humans who menstruate, reproduce and go through menopause continue to get it rough in all fronts - personal and professional. A report from the 2023 National Women’s Health Survey (link to the report is in comment below) on Australian women’s attitudes to menstrual and menopause leave that I read couple weeks back, underlined two key points: 1) Most Australian women considered it embarrassing to disclose to their employer that they are menstruating or experiencing menopause symptoms. 2) A very high proportion of women believed that employers would use menstrual and menopause leave as an excuse to discriminate against women, and a high proportion believed that coworkers would not be understanding if someone took menstrual or menopause leave. Does it surprise you? Do you see yourself in these two points? I have always been loud about my feelings - at home and in my workplace. Since starting on perimenopause, I preface every tok stori, every workshop, conversation, interview stating my condition and what that looks like. I have seen people being surprised, embarrassed, disdained, smile, light up in solidarity, breathe easy - all kinds of looks... However, there is no denying that talking about the magnificent human body that menstruates, reproduces and goes through menopause remains shrouded in silence largely.... This silence transcends cultures and contexts... * What do you do to break these silences? * What kind of policies and practices related to this does your workplace have? #menopause #perimenopause #menstruation #reproduction #HumanBody #BreakThePatriarchalControl #workplace

Have you recognised the critical importance of supporting employee health during menopause?   The potential impact of menopause on a workforce's productivity and wellbeing can be huge. Many women may be unaware of how their changing physiology during menopause can affect their ability to stay fit and healthy. Research suggests there have been 14million working days lost in the UK because of menopause. Six in 10 menopausal women say it has had a negative impact on their work, and 42% of women consider leaving their job because of it.   Often I see women training in a way that doesn’t align with their changing bodies, working against their physiology, in an attempt to regain their confidence during this time of change. Many women may be doing too much rather than too little, and end up frustrated to find that this does the very opposite of what they want, leading to weight gain and fatigue. Yet exercising correctly, smarter, not harder has been shown to have a positive impact on body composition, mood and can help alleviate many menopausal symptoms.   As a highly skilled coach and personal trainer, I specialise in empowering women to embrace their changing bodies during menopause and reclaim their vitality. I regularly deliver talks to organisations including Thames Valley Police, the Metropolitan Police, BT Group and Labcorp to help them to empower their staff in order to reach their potential.   In my talks I share practical strategies to support your employees' health and wellbeing during this important life stage. From understanding hormonal shifts to implementing tailored training protocols, I help to equip employees with the knowledge and tools to Reset, Recharge and Reclaim their vitality.   Get in touch with me to discuss your menopause in the workplace initiatives and how I can support you with a bespoke talk. https://lnkd.in/eYq9r-5H   #MenopauseEmpowerment #SupportEmployeeHealth #WorkplaceWellness #EmployeeWellbeing #MenopauseSupport #MenopauseAwareness #HRUK #PersonnelManagement #EmployeeHealth #WorkforceProductivity #MenopauseInWorkplace #WomenInLeadership #EmpowermentTalks #MenopauseTalks #VitalityInWork #CIPD #MenopauseCoach #PersonalTrainer

This article highlights the significant impact of perimenopause and menopause on women’s careers, as shown by Tasha’s experience of declining confidence and work capacity. It emphasises the need for workplace awareness, support, and specialised coaching to help women navigate this life stage without undermining their careers. The article also calls for organisations to address the menopause taboo by implementing policies, training, and coaching. https://lnkd.in/ekwBCerS #MenopauseAwareness #WorkplaceSupport #WomenInBusiness #Perimenopause #MenopauseCoaching #EmployeeWellbeing #CareerSupport #InclusiveWorkplaces

As we head towards Menopause Awareness Month in October what is your organisation doing to raise awareness and support everyone? Read more about Tasha’s story here in my recent article for the AoEC - The Academy of Executive Coaching . It’s time to start joining the dots … Contact me if you’d like to discuss further - I’d love to help you join the dots and put a plan in place! Jo@courage-coaching.co.uk #menopauseawareness #workplacesupport #menopausecoaching #perimenopause

Thank you pro-manchester for featuring my Top Tips around Managing Menopause in the Workplace in 2024, a topic that is being discussed and advised upon by the employment team at JMW Solicitors LLP in Manchester. If you do require further support please do not hesitate to contact me or another member of the employment team. #menopauseawareness #menopauseintheworkplace #menopause #perimenopause #menopausesupport #employmentlaw

💡This Fortune article sheds light on the challenges women face managing menopause in the workplace. Despite its prevalence, there is still a significant lack of awareness and preparation among women, as well as insufficient support in their workplaces regarding menopause and hormonal health more broadly. According to a Carrot Fertility survey among 2,000 women: 🔸80% expressed difficulty managing menopausal symptoms while on the job. 🔸72% reported feeling uneasy or self-conscious when experiencing symptoms like brain fog. 🔸Alarmingly, around a third of respondents, particularly women of color, voiced concerns about the impact of their symptoms on career progression. 🔸Many who took time off due to menopause-related challenges opted not to disclose the reason to their employers, citing concerns about perceived competence, societal stigma, and a lack of support. Tips for organizations to support women's health during menopause in the workplace include: 🔹Promote gender equity awareness and implement inclusive policies.  🔹Offer comprehensive wellness programs that include education and support on hormonal health, flexible scheduling and accommodations for menopause, and resources for mental health, stress management, and work-life balance. 🔹Foster a supportive work environment, including support groups to share experiences and manager training. 🔹Provide accessible healthcare benefits including preventive care, screenings, treatments, telemedicine, counseling services, and wellness apps. ✅Creating a menopause inclusive environment can drive a healthier workforce, increased productivity, and positive societal outcomes. Talk to me about how I can help make your organization menopause inclusive! https://lnkd.in/gzXprW74 #Menopause #MenopauseSupport #MenopauseEducation #MenopauseAtWork #MenopauseInTheWorkplace Over The Bloody Moon

This article highlights the significant impact of perimenopause and menopause on women’s careers, as shown by Tasha’s experience of declining confidence and work capacity. It emphasises the need for workplace awareness, support, and specialised coaching to help women navigate this life stage without undermining their careers. The article also calls for organisations to address the menopause taboo by implementing policies, training, and coaching. https://lnkd.in/eGYRBVvX #MenopauseAwareness #WorkplaceSupport #WomenInBusiness #Perimenopause #MenopauseCoaching #EmployeeWellbeing #CareerSupport #InclusiveWorkplaces