Hot on the back of Menopause Awareness Month in October, the once workplace taboo is starting to hit the agenda but there is still a way to go.
Sunderland based Oculus HR provide innovative and flexible HR solutions to SMEs regionally and nationally through their dedicated and holistic approach. The Founder and Managing Director, Louise Kennedy has recently seen business awareness and readiness to address the taboo around the menopause in the workplace increase in recent months.
Louise Kennedy, Founder and Managing Director, Oculus HR said: “We’ve seen a steady increase from employers requesting advice and guidance around the topic of menopause in the workplace. This is in part due to a host of bodies and newly emerged companies campaigning to tackle the menopause stigma. But there is still a way to go.
Workplace awareness around the menopause isn’t consistent across businesses and we are still hearing reports that highly experienced and skilled women are leaving jobs due to the lack of support systems in place and given the current skills shortage this is set to have a damaging impact on businesses around the globe.
At times all that can be needed is slight tweaks to existing wellbeing and health and safety policies and procedures to support women go through this natural stage of life.”
Everyone experiences the menopause differently. Some people notice little impact on their daily life. But, for others, the symptoms can be severe, affecting them both physically and mentally, and can include anxiety, loss of confidence, problems sleeping and ‘brain fog’. These symptoms can have a negative impact on their performance and attendance at work. It’s important that businesses look for ways to support employees and create an environment in which discussion on the subject is open and honest.
The menopause usually occurs sometime between 45 and 55 years of age, but it can happen earlier or later. Oculus HR are on a mission to support businesses to support their people and Louise recently hit the airwaves with the launch of her Real World HR podcast. The all-new Real World HR podcast will share real world stories behind their HR processes, to put the human back into HR. The good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.
The subject of the menopause is one of the topics discussed recently on the podcast and Louise was joined by Menopause Educator Miss Menopause aka Sharon MacArthur to discuss the topic. Sharon is keen to stress that ‘the menopause is there to be managed, not just to be endured.’ The podcast brought to light some astounding findings and although the menopause effects 100% of women it’s estimated that only 3% of companies have the topic of the menopause incorporated into their people plan.
Louise added: “Sharon is doing some amazing working is educating businesses around the topic of the menopause, I was thrilled she agreed to join me on the podcast for the down to earth and insightful chat.
The menopause has an impact across all industries and at every level. The main takeaway was to not overthink it and to not reinvent the wheel so to speak. It’s vital to open up conversations and look at current processes through a menopause ‘lens’, look at what you already do around wellbeing and replicate the applicable areas.”
All in all, for employees, the menopause is a health and wellbeing concern and it’s important that it is handled sensitively, as any other health issue would be. For those experiencing menopause symptoms, it can be incredibly difficult and stressful. It’s vital that businesses normalise discussing the impact the menopause can have on employees and ensure there are measures in place to support them. This may be around absence, identifying any reasonable adjustments in the workplace, training and general health and safety.
Above all, it’s vital that businesses are dedicated to talking and listening sensitively about how the menopause is affecting their employees.