Talking about menopause at work with Right at Home Cardiff and Newport

Menopause in the Workplace

Traditionally, menopause  has been seen as a private matter that shouldn’t be discussed and certainly not at work. That being said , menopausal people are, demographically, the fastest growing group of workers in the UK

It’s important these employees are made to feel supported and comfortable in the workplace

At Right at Home Cardiff and Newport  we want to shine a light on menopause, how it affects people’s day-to-day life and how we as employers, friends and colleagues can support menopausal people

What is menopause?

Over 51% of the  UK population will experience  menopause at some point in their lives, 81% of menopausal employees suggested that it had a moderate to extremely high impact on their performance at work. It typically happens between the ages of 45-55 but can happen much earlier or even later for some. Symptoms can last anywhere from three months up to 10 years. Levels of the hormone oestrogen decline, resulting in changes in the body, often causing a range of
symptoms for the person 

Why should we talk about menopause in the workplace?

Over 51% of the UK population will go through/experience menopause at some point in their lives, 81% of menopausal employees suggested that it had a moderate to extremely high impact on their
performance at work. Approximately 14 Million workdays are lost in the UK annually due to menopausal symptoms. 25% of menopausal employees have considered leaving work because of symptoms. 90% of menopausal employees say their workplace doesn’t offer any help. Staying in work is good for those experiencing menopause. It contributes to feelings of better self-esteem, fulfilment, and identity. It also provides social contact and reduces feelings of isolation. It is, therefore, it is essential that these employees are supported in work to prevent them from feeling forced to leave work. 

What symptoms are associated with menopause?

There are a wide range of symptoms someone experiencing menopause may encounter. Everyone’s journey will be different, such as type of symptoms and severity of symptoms, some may experience multiple symptoms while others only experience a few. Below are some of the most common symptoms,  if you are concerned
about any changes you are experiencing, you should book an appointment to speak to your GP.

• Mood changes/anxiety
• Heart palpitations-
• Sleep issue
• Tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hot flushes
• Needing the toilet more
• Poor memory/brain fog
• Headache

How to support your colleagues experiencing menopause?

When discussing menopause with a colleague experiencing it, the most important thing you can do is listen, provide a safe environment for people experiencing menopause to talk about what their experience is like. Sometimes you might not be able to offer solutions and the answers but just listening  to what your colleague is going through will help them to process their experience can take a weight off their shoulders. Make the effort to recognise the impact menopause can have and be patient, take extra time and care with your colleagues and be understanding if something slips or is forgotten. That being said, don’t treat them any differently than normal.

How does Right at Home Cardiff and Newport support employees experiencing menopause?

Our CareGivers, office team and managers are the backbone of Right at Home Cardiff and Newport. They deserve the same support and understanding for menopause as they’d get for any other health issue.
We build relationships based on trust, compassion and respect to make it easier for employees to
feel comfortable about raising a health issue like menopause and be confident they’ll be supported to remain a valued member of the team.
Some of the things we’ve introduced to support our employees 
through menopause include

• Regular check-ins with managers  
• Quiet workplace rest areas
• Menopause drop-in session

Jenny Jones, Head of Systems, Right at Home UK - “Right at Home was really supportive. There are so
many women in the workforce and some really good female managers, so we know what this is all about
and we are supportive, flexible and understanding.”

If you want to work for a company that listens, understands and accommodates, browse our
opportunities available today !!!