MENOPAUSE AND WORK
Managing your menopause symptoms at work - what can help?
Are you experiencing menopause symptoms at work? Are you finding it difficult to concentrate or work effectively, and feeling less like yourself? If discussing it with your boss feels uncomfortable, you're not alone.
At Positive Pause, we're here to support you in navigating menopause symptoms in the workplace. Discover practical tips, effective strategies, and helpful suggestions to help you manage this phase with confidence. Your well-being matters, and we're here to provide the support you need at work.
“I’ve just attended your ‘Menopause at Work’ training and feel so much more confident about talking about this at work. I’ve been able to be honest with my team and boss for the first time about how I’m feeling and we discussed the support that I need to cope when I am having a ‘moment’! Thank you, I feel like a new woman (almost)!”
Tips for coping with menopause at work
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RECOGNISE
What changes have you noticed? What are your symptoms & how are they impacting on you at work?
Night sweats and insomnia affecting concentration?
Are you feeling less like yourself and less in control, with the all-too-common brain fog?
Do you feel more stressed or less able to deal with stress?
Are you dealing with hot flushes and/or sudden, heavy periods?
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IDENTIFY
What reasonable adjustments could help you going through your menopause in the workplace?
A change in work allocation?
Flexible working?
Moving workspace closer to a window, or fan?
Request a different uniform, if relevent?
Having a buddy system in place, if you need to go to the toilet when heavy flooding starts?
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SEEK HELP
What can help when talking to your line manager or HR team about your menopause experience?
Prepare for any conversation.
Make notes of how and when your menopause symptoms affect you at work.
What short-term adjustments could help you?
Remember your manager has to listen to your concerns and maintain your confidentiality.
HOW TO START THE MENOPAUSE CONVERSATION
If menopause symptoms are having an impact on you at work and it’s time to talk to your line manager or HR about something that’s very personal, how can this best be done?
How to talk to a manager about menopause at work?
Explain
In this meeting, explain how symptoms impact on you at work this may be where a diary or notes can really help to pinpoint where specific support may be needed
And remember…..
Employers should support everyone equally and keep health conversations confidential and private. This is particularly important if someone talks about their gender identity when discussing their menopause symptoms and doesn’t want it widely known.
Agree who, if anyone, you would like to know about any changes.
Prepare & practice
As you start to notice changes at work keep a diary – just a few weeks so you can summarise/make notes. (These notes can also help when talking to GP) And maybe practice what you want to say?
Book a time!
Book a protected time as you would for any important discussion.
Think
Before going into the meeting think about what you would like to get out of this conversation? What’s having the greatest impact? What changes may help? These may only need to be short term.
