Wellbeing – Menopause

As an employer, the Council is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of its employees and will look to provide information, support and assistance where it can to do this.

Aberdeen City Council’s workforce consists of 70% female employees, with 27% of them falling within the 45–55 age range. This demographic is considered to be at a typical stage for experiencing or undergoing menopause.

As an organisation with a significant number of female employees the Council has a responsibility to consider any potential wellbeing concerns specific to this group.

While the menopause is a natural part of all women’s lives, the effects are particular to each individual and for some this isn’t an easy transition. A failure to recognise and understand the potential effects of menopause can exacerbate the impact on the employee and hinder their ability to alleviate or cope with any symptoms they experience.

While some physical symptoms like hot flushes are well recognised and can be mitigated for by adjusting the physical environment, many other symptoms are not. A loss of personal confidence or lapses in concentration may not be as apparent or as well-known a symptom but these can have as much if not more of an impact on the employee facing them. These symptoms can be perceived by those experiencing them as having an adverse impact on their ability to perform their duties, even when this is not the case. Managers should make themselves aware of these symptoms and their potential impact on employees so that suitable support can be offered and provided.

The consequence of employees feeling unsupported in the workplace can be that of highly skilled and experienced employees not seeking career progression or even leaving employment due to their own self-perception rather than any actual inability to do the job.

A range of supporting information sources and answers to frequently asked questions is provided below with the aim to raise awareness of issues relating to the menopause, its treatment and how best to support affected employees. These should help enable a working environment where employees feel valued and continue their employment with the Council.

  • The medical definition of the menopause is when a woman has her last period.
  • The time around the menopause.
  • The menopause is caused by a change in the balance of the body’s sex hormones, which occurs as you get older.
  • It happens when your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and no longer release an egg each month.
  • No, surveys have found that between 5% and 50% of women experience significant issues with the menopause.
  • The average age of menopause is 51, however it can typically occur between the ages of 45 and 58.
 

The menopause can also increase your risk of developing certain other problems, such as weak bones (osteoporosis).

  • What support can be offered by an employer to help alleviate these symptoms?
    • Workplace adjustments such as –
      • temperature control,
      • flexible working,
      • relaxed uniform standards,
      • available cold water,
      • consideration for provision of facilities,
      • access to a private area,
    • An open communications policy with members of staff,
    • Occupational Health advice.
  • What measures can an employee take to help alleviate the symptoms of the menopause?
    • See your GP for advice on available treatment options.
    • Hormone Replacement Therapy can be utilised by some.
    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
    • Consider lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, smoking cessation and exercise.
    • Discuss your practical needs with your line manager, HR or another manager you feel comfortable talking to.
  • What support is there for Council employees going through the menopause?

Aberdeen councillors pass new pledges to help female employees through menopause and pregnancy loss

Councillors Neil Copland and Gill Al-Samarai, convener and vice-convener of the staff governance committee, have formally ratified the policies after they were approved in 2022!

Aberdeen councillors pass new pledges to help female employees through menopause and pregnancy loss | Aberdeen Live

Managers Health and Wellbeing Toolkit

Click here to access the full Managers Health and Wellbeing Toolkit on Sharepoint

Guidance for women who find their menopausal symptoms are affecting their wellbeing and their capacity to work.
Top tips for managing menopause at work – Rock My Menopause
rockmymenopause.com

 

Menopause Awareness at Work – support for employees

 

Live, online virtual sessions aimed at line managers, team leaders, supervisors, HR personnel and all other employees to find out how they can support women at work who go through this phase in their lives, and to women employees themselves, to make them aware of the fact that they can seek support.   
These sessions are open to all staff across Aberdeen City Council, ACHSCP and NHS Grampian.

If you haven’t registered already, set up your FREE TURAS account today.

Explainer videos

Watch the following videos to find out about: 

  • our legal obligations as an employer

  • top tips for supporting employees experiencing menopause

Find out how employees experiencing menopause symptoms may be protected by the Equality Act 2010, and outlines the legal obligations we have under the Act.

Consider the benefits of taking proactive steps and implement workplace adjustments to support your employees while preventing discrimination. 

Gain vital insights on having conversations about the menopause and how we can encourage a culture where workers feel able to talk about their symptoms and ask for support.

Benefits of Physical Activity Infographic

Getabout is a partnership promoting sustainable, active, and affordable transport across Aberdeen City and Shire, including, rail walking, and cycling options.

Let’s get physical ….

Do it yourself ….

Discounted Memberships ….

Do it yourself ….

Please Rate this Page