Menopause. It’s being talked about more and more on social media, newspapers, radio, television and in the workplace, but for many managers like you talking about it to your colleagues can feel uncomfortable, awkward and difficult.
Time to talk about the most common reasons why managers like you can find talking about menopause difficult with your colleagues, and what you can do to reduce your initial discomfort so you can talk about menopause more easily and feel less awkward.
Why is menopause such a difficult conversation for managers?
Talking about menopause in the workplace with colleagues can feel uncomfortable.
Once you know more about the reasons why, we can explain how to feel more comfortable talking about menopause with your colleagues.
Here’s 9 reasons menopause can be a difficult or uncomfortable topic for managers:
Reason #1
The first reason could be that you’re not really sure what menopause or peri-menopause is so you avoid talking about it.
Reason #2
You’re not really sure how it can affect your colleague at work.
Reason #3
You’re not fully aware of the full range of symptoms women can potentially experience.
Reason #4
You could be uncertain about what the outcome is going to be from a discussion around menopause with your colleagues so it’s easier for you to avoid talking about it altogether.
Reason #5
You could be afraid or worried that something you say or do could inflame a menopause-related situation in the workplace and make it worse.
Reason #6
You’re not sure what support to suggest that would help them through this natural phase of their life.
Reason #7
You have no idea where to signpost your female colleagues to for support in the company or externally.
Reason #8
You don’t know if the company has any policies or guidelines about menopause.
Reason #9
You don’t have time to talk about menopause. Your To Do list is huge.
What you need to know so you can feel more comfortable talking about menopause with your colleagues
Reason #1
You’re not really sure what menopause or peri-menopause is so you avoid talking about it.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is menopause?
It’s a natural stage of life when a woman’s oestrogen (hormone) levels declines, and she stops having periods.
Menopause typically happens between age 45 and 55.Menopause typically happens between age 45 and 55.
The average age for a woman to undergo menopause in the UK is 51, but around 1 in 100 experience it before the age of 40.
Menopause can be brought on as a result of surgery, illness or treatment.
There are three stages:
- Peri-menopause
- Menopause
- Post-menopause.
Peri-menopause
The ‘peri-menopause’ is the phase leading up to menopause
This is when she’ll have the majority of her symptoms.
Menopause
Menopause is one day. It’s the day she’s gone 12 months consecutively without having a period.
Post-menopause
Post-menopause is the time after you’ve been without a menstrual period for 12 months.
Reason #2
You’re not really sure how menopause can affect your colleague at work
Menopause-related symptoms can affect:
- Productivity & Performance
- Staff retention
- Attendance
- Relationships
Reason #3
You’re not fully aware of the full range of symptoms women can potentially experience.
There’s 40 recognised menopause-related symptoms that can be put into two types:
- Physical symptoms
- Psychological symptoms
The most common physical symptoms are:
- Irregular periods
- Heavy periods
- Hot flushes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Night sweats
- Chills & cold sweats
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain & slowed metabolism
The most common psychological problems are:
- Anger & irritability
- Anxiety
- Feelings of sadness or depression
- Poor concentration
- Forgetfulness
- Loss of self-esteem
- Loss of confidence
- Brain fog
The 5 most common peri-menopause symptoms women struggle with and how many are:
- 40.3% suffer with fatigue
- 35.1% suffer with hot flushes
- 34.6% suffer with brain fog
- 31.9% suffer with anxiety and worry
- 29.5% suffer with insomnia
Source: menopause survey in 2018
Other blogs you may find useful:
Menopause, peri-menopause and post-menopause: What the workplace needs to know
Mennopause in the workplace: What is brain fog and why you need to know about it
Menopause: Can it increase anxiety, worry, panic attacks or depression?
Reason #4
You could be uncertain about what the outcome is going to be from a discussion around menopause with your colleagues so it’s easier for you to avoid talking about it altogether.
We get it.
Menopause isn’t everyone’s favourite topic but not talking about it can be worse than getting over a little bit of embarrassment.
Not talking about it can affect the company’s:
- Productivity & Performance
- Staff retention
- Attendance
- Relationships
- Reputation
Reason #5
You could be afraid or worried that something you say or do could inflame a menopause-related situation in the workplace and make it worse.
See Reason #4
Reason # 6
You’re not sure what support to suggest that would help them through this natural phase of their life.
Come up with ideas that could be permanent and/or temporary.
Sometimes the most effective support comes from the smallest changes.
Some ideas are:
- Access to cold water
- Uniforms – natural fibres can be more comfortable than man-made fibres
- Showers
- Toilets / washrooms
- Desk fans
- Use of a quiet room
- PPE – noise reducing headphones
- Work from home
- Later start time
- Changes to job role
- Posters
- Lunch and learn sessions
Pausitivity CIC have created posters so you don’t have to. Check them out here.
Reason #7
You have no idea where to signpost your female colleagues to for support in the company or externally about their menopause.
Your company may have:
A Menopause Champion or Ambassador (you may not have one. Perhaps consider one?)
My blogs about menopause champions may be useful:
Menopause Champion Pros and Cons https://bit.ly/MenopauseChampionsProsAndCons
What is a menopause champion for the workplace and what do they do?
Menopause advice, support and help
Other organisations offering information and support include:
Daisy Network for premature menopause
Queermenopause for people who identify as LGBT+
Reason #8
You don’t know if the company has any policies or guidelines about menopause.
Ask Human Resources if they have one. If not, get our free menopause policy checklist.
Reason #9
You don’t have time to talk about menopause. Your To Do list is huge.
You might be interested to know employment tribunals citing menopause increased by 44% from 2020 to 2021.
They’re expensive and not good for an organisations reputation.
Menopause isn’t going away and like other sensitive or difficult topics the more awareness and education that you have about it the easier it becomes to discuss
