Menopause at work has been high on the HR agenda for a couple of years now. The positive and proactive discussion around the topic has come such a long way from when it was considered ‘taboo’.

Back in 2018, we wrote our first blog to celebrate World Menopause Day and raise awareness of how employers can support their workforce. We discuss what menopause is, how it can impact the working lives of employees who are experiencing symptoms, and some ideas for how employers can provide support.

For World Menopause Day 2022, the world is a very different place, but we are determined to continue the conversation. Here are some of our favourite resources for HR teams to share with their managers and with employees experiencing menopause at work. If you have any to add to the list, please share them with us!

Balance – the leading Menopause library 

Balance is an app dedicated to educating and empowering people to better understand menopause. As the world’s biggest library of menopause resources, it had to be our first recommendation. You can find out more and explore the library here.  

Free Menopause Policy Template

Many organisations have developed a menopause policy as an effective way to:

• Provide guidance for managers
• Highlight any simple adjustments that may be appropriate
• Provide reassurance to employees that you are supportive and inclusive

If you need support in writing a policy, you can download our free template policy here.

Remember, don’t just stop at writing a policy. Launch life into the policy and make it something your organisation can use. Here’s our video guide on what to consider when you are introducing a new policy into your organisation.  

Guidance for your Line Managers 

There are lots of management guides out there now, but here are a few of our favourites:

• The Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) guide offers advice, tips, and stats for employers, managers, and women. You can download the document and share it with your team here. 
• This guide from Bupa includes five useful takeaways which managers can implement straight away. Download it here.
• The CIPD has also produced ‘The menopause at work: a guide for line managers’, which offers practical advice on what a manager needs to know about the menopause to effectively support their team. Download it here.

Menopause Cases in the Employment Tribunal 

We are seeing an increase in menopause at work cases in the employment tribunal. Henpicked has examined some cases and their outcomes on their website here.

Continue the Conversation 

We’ve come a long way. Let’s continue the conversation by encouraging women to be open about their symptoms and needs, and make sure that managers are open to listening to and acting upon them. This will go a long way towards enabling women to remain at work and continue to be effective in their roles.

This year, the British Menopause Society has also been working on a new programme, ‘Menopause: Continuing the Conversation’. Hosted by Louise Minchin, it will feature expert interviews and stories from leading organisations. Put the date in your diaries.

At Vista, our approach to achieving true diversity and inclusion at work is challenging and asks some difficult questions of an employer. Here’s a bit more information about how we can support you with your diversity and inclusion objectives.