Desktop fans for women during the menopause

Staff can also take a stroll, say council bosses

MENOPAUSAL women will have the right to a desk fan or mid-shift stroll to combat hot flushes after a landmark decision by a Scots council.

The measures will be introduced by South Lanarkshire Council after it approved a menopause policy.

This will also include the options of taking breaks to practise relaxation techniques and breathing exercises.

Employees suffering from lack of sleep due to the men- opause will also be considered for flexible working, while those affected by anxiety or panic attacks will be able to get counselling.

Those experiencing hot flushes will have the right to easy access to toilet facilities, drinking water and a quiet area ‘if they need to manage a severe’ symptom.

A report, approved by the council’s executive commit-- tee also emphasised the need for employees to be able to speak to their managers about their needs.

A council spokesman said it would bring the policy into force to mark World Menopause Day on October 18.

Its report – believed to be the first of its kind approved by a Scots council – states that women who feel they are suffering from menopausal symptoms can ‘request temperature control for their work area, such as a fan on their desk (where possible a USB-connected desk fan to ensure environmentally friendly), or moving near a window, or away from a heat source’.

It also says they should be allowed to adapt prescribed uniform, such as by removing a jacket, have access to a rest room for breaks if their work involves long periods of standing or sitting, or a quiet area if they need to manage a severe flush’.

The menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age as a woman’s oestrogen levels decline. The UK average is 51.

However, around one in 100 experiences the menopause before 40. Around 75 per cent of women experience some symptoms.

In 25 per cent, these could be classed as severe.

As well as hot flushes, symptoms can include sweats, poor concentration, insomnia, headaches, panic attacks, heavy/light periods, anxiety and loss of confidence, the report says.

The council says it has 11,035 female employees, 68 per cent over the age of 40.

Highlighting the ‘health issue’, Collette Stevenson, finance and corporate resources committee depute said: ‘It is important for any organisation of any size to recognise the support that is needed.

‘But considering there are more than 11,000 women working for South Lanarkshire Council, then we have considerable responsibility to treat them with understanding and provide them with support when this natural part of aging affects them.

‘It is important not only to implement the actions of this policy, but also to make sure that women know that the council has a positive attitude towards the menopause and it’s not something they should feel embarrassed about discussing.

‘I am therefore delighted that this menopause policy both ensures and demonstrates that South Lanarkshire Council understands the difficulties and anxieties that are faced by women at this stage of their lives.’

Miss Stevenson added: ‘I am so pleased that the council is putting this policy at the heart of the women and equalities agenda. It is a “work in progress” policy with a purpose of creating a culture of support, inclusivity and equality.’

It follows a survey carried out by the Scottish Trades Unions Congress in February in which 3,500 women were asked how they felt the menopause would impact them at work.

STUC women’s committee chairman Sharon Edwards said at the time: ‘What the results of our survey show is that menopausal women are facing some real challenges in the workplace.’

‘Real challenges in workplace’

‘Creating culture of support’