Menopause In The Workplace
Managing menopause in the workplace is no longer a taboo subject but it’s going to take some time before it is as wide-reaching as we would like it to be.
It is estimated that 70% of women who are at the ‘menopausal age’ work. This means there are approximately 2.5 million women in the US who continue to go to work as they go through the menopause. This is a huge section of the workforce and, although all women experience menopause differently, many of them could potentially be struggling with their symptoms. Because of the nature of the menopause, it’s often something that women may feel reluctant or embarrassed to discuss with their employer.
Although there are currently no fixed laws within the US that directly relate to menopause, there …show more content…
How can the menopause affect work performance?
In short, menopause is when a women’s oestrogen levels drop and menstruation ceases. Although the effects of this bodily change tend to vary from woman to woman, there will usually be at least some symptoms and on average they can last for up to four years. Some of the most common symptoms that could interfere with a woman’s working life include difficulty sleeping, fatigue and joint/muscle pain. All of this could make a manual job (or one where a lot of standing is required) particularly difficult.
Three out of four women will also experience hot flushes during the menopause which involves an intense feeling of heat spreading throughout the body, sometimes leading to sweating and redness. If a woman works in a stuffy office, this may exacerbate these symptoms.
Because of hormonal changes, a woman may find that her concentration and mood may be affected too. Several women complain of anxiety, memory problems and irritability during the menopause. This can be problematic when you are dealing with customers and stressful …show more content…
In short, it isn’t much fun and can make even the simplest of tasks much harder work.
What can the woman do?
Although you may feel embarrassed about talking to your employer about your condition, they have a duty of care to support you and make your working life as easy as possible. Don’t be afraid to discuss your symptoms and make requests based on what you feel able to manage. Taking on too much or dealing with problematic workloads will make your symptoms worse and may eventually lead to you having to take time off.
Practising a healthy lifestyle outside of work may also help improve your overall symptoms. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet packed full of vitamins and minerals may help alleviate symptoms of fatigue – complex carbohydrates such as wholegrains and vegetables can provide the body with stable, long lasting periods of energy.
Exercise and meditation can also be natural ways of improving mood and battling the feelings of stress and anxiety that come with such dramatic bodily changes. You may even be able to take some of these techniques into work with you – learning to regulate your breathing in stressful situations can definitely be a quick and effective way of discreetly calming you
It is estimated that 70% of women who are at the ‘menopausal age’ work. This means there are approximately 2.5 million women in the US who continue to go to work as they go through the menopause. This is a huge section of the workforce and, although all women experience menopause differently, many of them could potentially be struggling with their symptoms. Because of the nature of the menopause, it’s often something that women may feel reluctant or embarrassed to discuss with their employer.
Although there are currently no fixed laws within the US that directly relate to menopause, there …show more content…
How can the menopause affect work performance?
In short, menopause is when a women’s oestrogen levels drop and menstruation ceases. Although the effects of this bodily change tend to vary from woman to woman, there will usually be at least some symptoms and on average they can last for up to four years. Some of the most common symptoms that could interfere with a woman’s working life include difficulty sleeping, fatigue and joint/muscle pain. All of this could make a manual job (or one where a lot of standing is required) particularly difficult.
Three out of four women will also experience hot flushes during the menopause which involves an intense feeling of heat spreading throughout the body, sometimes leading to sweating and redness. If a woman works in a stuffy office, this may exacerbate these symptoms.
Because of hormonal changes, a woman may find that her concentration and mood may be affected too. Several women complain of anxiety, memory problems and irritability during the menopause. This can be problematic when you are dealing with customers and stressful …show more content…
In short, it isn’t much fun and can make even the simplest of tasks much harder work.
What can the woman do?
Although you may feel embarrassed about talking to your employer about your condition, they have a duty of care to support you and make your working life as easy as possible. Don’t be afraid to discuss your symptoms and make requests based on what you feel able to manage. Taking on too much or dealing with problematic workloads will make your symptoms worse and may eventually lead to you having to take time off.
Practising a healthy lifestyle outside of work may also help improve your overall symptoms. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet packed full of vitamins and minerals may help alleviate symptoms of fatigue – complex carbohydrates such as wholegrains and vegetables can provide the body with stable, long lasting periods of energy.
Exercise and meditation can also be natural ways of improving mood and battling the feelings of stress and anxiety that come with such dramatic bodily changes. You may even be able to take some of these techniques into work with you – learning to regulate your breathing in stressful situations can definitely be a quick and effective way of discreetly calming you