How menopause impacts women

Dove Menopause Insights (DMI) research tells us that many people find it hard to talk about menopause at work. However, your manager is there to help you be at your best at work. To help you both have a constructive conversation, preparation is important. This will result in a much better conversation and outcome for both you and your employer.​

Above all, it’s in both your best interests to find a good solution. All anyone wants is for you to be fit and well and do your job to the best of your ability.​

Menopause can be isolating if you don’t talk to someone, but remember many are experiencing this at work, so you most certainly are not alone.​

Our helpful five-step guide will support you in having successful conversations.

 

Prepare for your meeting

Keep a diary of your menopause symptoms and how they’re affecting you. Think about what practical support might help, for example flexible working hours, working from home, taking more regular short breaks or requesting a portable fan. Be flexible and collaborate with your manager to come up with some different options that will be helpful for you. These may be for a short period of time while you work out how to manage your symptoms with your healthcare practitioner. Check out what support is available in your organisation.

 

Book a meeting​

So that you will have time and privacy to talk and you will be more likely to get your points across. Book a private space if you can, so you can talk openly with your manager.

 

Explain your situation clearly​

Talk about how menopause is affecting you at work, what you are doing to manage your menopause symptoms and what your manager could do to help. Discuss what support you would like and the timescales. Just knowing someone understands and is there to listen can help.​

 

Agree with your manager what you can both do​

They may need time to think about the best support. Remember, this may have been on your mind for a long time, but it may be the first time your manager has heard about it. Allow them time to digest the information and seek advice if necessary.​

 

Do you want the conversation to be confidential?​

Some of us are happy talking about menopause openly, others are not. Talk to your manager about whether you want the conversation to be kept confidential or if you are happy to share with your immediate team for support. It’s your choice.​

 

Follow up​

At the end of the meeting, put a time in the diary to meet again, whether that is to agree on a way forward, to monitor progress or update one another. Menopause symptoms can change over time, so you might need to ask for different adjustments or support.