Renfrewshire Council

How symptoms of menopause can affect someone at work

Throughout the stages of menopause, symptoms can vary from person to person and have an impact on someone's daily life, including work. People have different experiences of menopause, including how long it lasts for and the type and severity of symptoms.

Experiences and perceptions of menopause  can also be different in relation to someone's social or economic status, disability, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or marital or civil partnership status.

People experiencing the menopause can also be affected by the type of work they do if it's manual work or it involves standing or sitting for long periods of time.

What support and adjustments at work you can ask for

What paid leave you can request

Who you can talk to if menopause is affecting you at work

We encourage you to talk openly and honestly about menopause at work. You will be treated with respect and understanding.

Before speaking to someone you could:

• take notes of your menopause symptoms and how or when they are affecting you at work
• prepare what you want to discuss
• think of potential supports and adjustments that you think could help you
• take advice from a healthcare professional, like a specialist nurse or GP.

Talk to your manager

If menopause symptoms are impacting your ability to work, you can speak to your manager and let them know what you are going through.

The conversations you have with your manager will be confidential. They will listen to what you are comfortable sharing with them and look at what you need at work, which could include supports and adjustments or menopause related paid leave.

Talk to a HR and OD adviser or your trade union representative

You may find it hard to speak to your manager about menopause.

In these circumstances, you can ask to speak to another manager or a HR and OD Adviser.

If you feel you can't talk to your manager directly, contact your HR and OD Adviser, or get advice from your trade union representative if you are a trade union member.

A HR and OD Adviser or trade union representative can liaise with your manager if you give them permission. They will make sure alternative arrangements are made, including access to the Occupational Health service.

Talk to a Mental Health First Aider

You can reach out to any of the council's trained Mental Health First Aiders.

They will listen to you in confidence, without judgement, and help you access the support you need.

Talk to the council's counselling service

The Time for Talking counselling service can provide confidential support to colleagues with a range of personal health and wellbeing issues, including menopause related difficulties.

You can contact this service, any day at any time, on 0800 970 3980.

Occupational Health service

The Occupational Health service can provide guidance on your health and wellbeing at work, including menopause supports.

The service is provided by the PAM group, on behalf of the council. Your manager or a HR advisor can contact the Occupational Health service on 0141 212 6970 to find out what support is available.

What support and adjustments at work you can ask for

Your manager or HR and OD Adviser will be able to work with you to identify supports and adjustments at work.

These can include:

• temperature control
• frequent breaks and access to fresh air
• easy access to cold drinking water, toilet, and washroom facilities
• extra items of uniform if needed, or adaptation of your uniform, like not wearing a uniform jacket
• new or additional space to store a change of clothing
• temporary or permanent flexible working arrangements
• working from home
• noise-reducing headphones to wear in open offices
• memory-assisting equipment like notebooks
• access to the Time for Talking counselling service
• access to the Occupational Health service.

You can see a more comprehensive list of supports and adjustments that you can discuss with your manager or HR and OD .

How you can support your colleagues with menopause

You may be working with a colleague who is going through menopause or is indirectly affected by it.

Even if you don't manage anyone, we all have a responsibility to support one another at work and encourage an open and inclusive environment.

There are different ways you can support colleagues with menopause including:

• raising awareness of this support and signposting your colleagues to this source of information
• supporting adjustments your colleagues may receive to manage their menopause symptoms, regardless of whether you know the reason for these
• engaging in open conversations with managers about any adjustments they feel are needed.

How managers can support colleagues with the menopause

Other information and support with menopause

NHS inform

The NHS inform website has information about the signs and symptoms of menopause, treating menopause symptoms, managing your mental wellbeing, taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and sexual wellbeing and intimacy.

You can also talk to your GP.

Sandyford Clinics, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Sandyford Clinics are the specialist sexual health service for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and provide a menopause service. It has local clinics throughout Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, and Renfrewshire. You need to be referred to this menopause service by your GP.

Menopause Matters

Menopausematters.co.uk is an independent website providing up-to-date and accurate information about menopause, menopause symptoms, and treatment options.

Queermenopause

Queermenopause is for people experiencing menopause who identify as LGBTQIA+.