Menopause


In May 2018, the Wales TUC launched new campaign resources to change the way the menopause is treated in the workplace. Its 2017 report, The menopause — a workplace issue, is based on a major survey of almost 4,000 workers. This found that 88% of women workers who had experienced the menopause felt it had an effect on working life, while around six in 10 had witnessed the issue being treated as a joke. It also showed only a very small number of workplace had policies in place to support women who experience difficulties during the menopause, and in some cases health and safety issues caused women’s symptoms to worsen. 


It developed The menopause: a workplace issue — a toolkit for trade unionists to help reps press employers to make improvements in the workplace. It is available in English and Welsh and covers essential information about the menopause, looks at some of the common workplace issues, and considers why the menopause is a key workplace health and safety and equality issue for trade unionists. It offers practical tools, including examples of workplace adjustments, ideas for action, surveys and mapping, a gender sensitive health and safety checklist, an example workplace policy and example risk assessment. New bilingual posters and postcards are also available for reps to use in the workplace to help raise awareness and campaign to change the way the menopause is treated in the workplace.


A short online interactive learning tool (eNote) on the menopause takes around 20 minutes to complete and is available at: www.tuceducation.org.uk.


For union reps living or working in Wales, a two-day classroom course for union reps is also available.


For more information and hard copies of the toolkit, posters and postcards can be ordered from the Wales TUC — email: [email protected] or tel 029 2034 7010.