Menopause and Work

1. Menopause and Work Why the menopause is a workplace issue Fiona Roberts Regional Women’s Officer South East Region

2. Women in the Workplace • 51% of population in the UK is female • 71% women in UK are working • 48% of the workforce are women in UK • 3.5 million women over 50 employed in the UK • Number of women working at age 70 doubled in last four years (UK) (DWP 2017) • Research findings

3. In the UK how many women are currently going through or have reached the menopause? How many women will experience noticeable symptoms? 8 out of 10 women will experience noticeable symptoms. An estimated 13 million women in the UK (around 1 in 3) are currently going through or have reached the menopause. flip flip What percentage of women will find their symptoms hard to deal with? Are women in your workplace affected by the menopause? Almost definitely, yes! All women in your workplace will be or have been affected by the menopause at some point in their lives. 45% of women will find their symptoms hard to deal with. flip flip

4. % ?

5. 88%

6. Definitions Menopause • The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. Menopause is the time when there have been no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months

7. Definitions Peri-menopause: • The peri-menopause describes a period of time of significant hormonal change which leads up to the menopause. The peri-menopause can often last for four to five years although for some women it may continue for many more years or for others last just a few months. The duration of the peri-menopause varies greatly.

8. Definitions • Post- menopause • After a woman has not had a period for a year, she can be described as ‘post menopausal’. Symptoms can last around 4 year after your last period, although some women will experience them for longer.

9. What are the symptoms? Hot flushes, increased sweating and low moods are just some of the many symptoms of the menopause. Which symptoms do you think are possible in the menopause? Headaches Heavy, irregular or painful periods Anxiety and/or depression Urinary problems Joint aches Sleep disturbance

10. What are the symptoms? Hot flushes, increased sweating and low moods are just some of the many symptoms of the menopause. Which symptoms do you think are possible in the menopause? Headaches Heavy, irregular or painful periods Anxiety and/or depression Urinary problems Joint aches Sleep disturbance

11. What are the symptoms? Symptoms

12. Who is affected? • Most women will experience some symptoms • Symptoms will be varied and all women will experience them differently. • Duration and severity of symptoms will vary from woman to woman • Doesn’t just effect women in their fifties. • There is no male version of the menopause!

13. When does it happen? The menopause is part of the natural ageing process for women, but it can happen at a range of ages and for several reasons Natural The menopause usually occurs naturally between the ages of 45 and 55. Before the menopause begins, there is usually a time of hormonal change called the peri-menopause. This is when many women start to experience symptoms and often lasts for four to five years. However, in some cases it can last many more years or just a few months. Early or premature Some women experience an early menopause occurring before the age of 45. The NHS estimates that around 1 in every 100 women will experience a premature menopause before the age of 40. This can also happen to women in their teens or twenties, which is not always widely understood. Premature menopause is not talked about, and often misunderstood. However, it is more common than people realise. Medical or surgical Some women experience a medical or surgical menopause. This can happen suddenly when the ovaries are damaged by specific treatments or interventions such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery or a hysterectomy. Natural Early or premature Medical or surgical

14. How long does it last? We’ve looked at the various starting ages and associated symptoms. Once a woman has had her last period, how long do you think these symptoms will last? Every experience is different. True or False? On average, women continue to experience symptoms for no more than a year after their last period Women can continue to experience symptoms for up to 12 years after their last period

15. Treatments • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)- Combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen) - Oestrogen-only HRT • Alternative remedies • Diet and lifestyle • NB: seek advice from your GP if symptoms are difficult to manage

16. Women in the spotlight

17. Practical considerations • Little prepared – less prepared about work • Managing symptoms at work • Can women talk to their managers • Absences common • Sympathy is not enough!

18. It’s a health and safety issue The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers. Under the Act, employers are required to carry out risk assessments under the Management Regulations which should include specific risks to menopausal women if they are employed.

19. It’s an equality issue Sex discrimination Harassment Disability Sex discrimination might occur if an employer doesn’t make the same allowances for female employees going through the menopause as for male employees with other conditions. Unfortunately, some women experience harassment relating to the menopause. The menopause in itself is not a disability, but conditions arising from it may be considered a disability under the Equality Act.

20. Recent Case Law • Employment Tribunal – “menopause – disability” • Merchant v BT 2012 (1st Menopause case) • Davies vs Scottish Courts and Tribunal Services • £14000 +£5000 • Court officer, made mistake which had consequences, which though not harmful were undesirable • Had reported her problems, under OH review

21. What are the workplace factors? In the workplace, some factors may not normally be seen as an issue, but become more problematic for someone experiencing the menopause. Which workplace issues do you think can exacerbate symptoms of the menopause? Poor ventilation and air quality Inadequate access to drinking water Inadequate or non-existent toilet/washing facilities Lack of control of temperature/light Lack of appropriate uniforms or personal protective equipment Sleep disturbance

22. Workplace factors • Lack of appropriate gender sensitive risk assessments • Inflexible policies which penalise women because of their symptoms • Excessive workloads • Workplace stress • Lack of awareness about the menopause among manager and colleagues • Lack of management training on women’s health issues • Negative attitudes or unsympathetic line managers/colleagues • Bullying and harassment • Insecure employment (e.g., fixed-term, casual or zero-hour contracts)

23. What can employers do? Training Awareness raising Policies and procedures Points of contact and support Secure jobs

24. Union considerations - what can we do? • Workplace campaigns/Survey/Mapping • Consider negotiating a specific menopause policy • Check current relevant workplace policies • Ask for training (employer) • Branch meetings/ health and safety meetings • Check risk assessments • Encourage more women to become reps/H&S • Train all stewards – male and female

25. ANY QUESTIONS?