HR Forum to break down workplace taboo on discussing menopause
The physical, emotional and psychological issues most women experience as they go through menopause have been claiming news headlines recently thanks to TV documentaries by celebrities such as Davina McCall. This has led to a growing expectation for employers to face up to the issue, and for a review of workplace mental health policies to ensure people, regardless of gender, can have a conversation about menopause constructively and without embarrassment.
Employers need to understand what they should be considering in order to create a community of people with knowledge of menopause who can signpost people of both sexes for help. This could be where to go to get advice to manage symptoms, how to support a team member who may be suffering depression and physical effects such as hot flushes, and how as an employer they can implement best practice within their organisation.
Experts from our Ashley Kate team, law firm Eversheds Sutherland and Jardine White Consulting are hosting a webinar that is designed to help employers and senior HR professionals to create a strategy and help them break down the workplace taboo on discussing menopause.
Commenting, Amanda Underhill, HR Recruitment Business Manager from Ashley Kate HR & Finance said, “We are inviting people to take part in order to gain a holistic view of what they need to do as this isn’t just about creating a menopause policy. The approach needs to be integral to the culture of the business and included as part of a responsibility to ensure the overall mental health and wellbeing of all employees.”
Jacqueline Jardine from Jardine White added, “Extending the retirement age to 70 means that our workforces are ageing. Very few women will now have the opportunity to retire before menopause sets in and will therefore experience symptoms whilst working. It is therefore vital that businesses of all sizes are provided with the tools to ensure their people can thrive in later life and their businesses can operate effectively.”
Chairing the event will be Dawn Dickson, Partner from law firm Eversheds Sutherland, who said, “Having taken part in the webinar we hope that participants will gain enough insight to begin developing a plan to prepare policies and processes now. This will help to create a better longer-term work environment where open discussions can be held about how people are feeling about their health and wellbeing.”
Taking place on 19 August from 8.30am to 10.00am, as well as lots of expert advice and guidance, the webinar has been designed to encourage lots of interactivity and questions from participants. It is free to attend and tickets can be booked here.
