HOW TO TALK MENOPAUSE WITH YOUR MANAGER

By Barbara Claypole, menopause advocate and co-author of ‘Surgical Menopause: Not Your Typical Menopause’

If you don’t feel you can talk to

your line manager about menopause, then find out who

else is available. There should be someone in HR with relevant

training or increasingly companies have menopause

champions.

It is natural to feel nervous

about discussing personal issues in the workplace. You

might find email easier.

Don’t feel you have to disclose a

long list of your symptoms if

you aren’t comfortable doing this. Instead focus on suggesting solutions to help

improve your working life.

Think small: often little adjustments can make a huge

difference to your day. You might simply need a 10-minute break between meetings to use

the bathroom or get fresh air.

Emphasize that you’re not asking the company to spend

huge amounts of money. The biggest investment is usually a desk fan! What you are asking

for is some flexibility, understanding and an

acknowledgment.

Encourage your firm to sign up to the Menopause

Workplace Pledge (wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/ campaigns/menopausepledge). If your company doesn’t yet have a menopause policy or

network, start it yourself. Help the next generation of women so things will be

easier for them.