Moray Council celebrates menopause policy on World Menopause Day
Brain fog, memory loss, and dragging your body through wet cement. Those are just some of the menopausal symptoms Moray Council staff are now discussing with their managers.
The local authority’s recently introduced menopause policy is also prompting staff to ask for support at work which might help manage their symptoms.
The policy, published in April, is being re-publicised to staff to mark World Menopause Day, which takes place tomorrow (Wednesday 18 October).
The policy acknowledges that the symptoms of menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a person’s menstrual cycle, can be severe.
It also stresses the importance of meeting the needs of those experiencing them.
One in four people in the UK consider leaving their jobs due to their struggle with symptoms, and one in 10 end up doing so. The same NHS data suggests half of all those going through the menopause reduce their working hours.
The menopause can last up to 10 years and can cause physical symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, energy loss, and other problems that can take a toll on a person's emotional and mental health.
Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “Our menopause policy has encouraged staff to seek support, and it's got people from across the council talking about a topic that has for too long been seen as taboo.
"Our HR staff and service managers are responding to more and more menopausal-related staff queries. It's just great to see that open dialogue happening between employers and their workforce.”
Chair of the council's Corporate Committee, Cllr Bridget Mustard, said support requests from staff vary.
She said: “This provides crucial feedback and insight for our managers as they play an important role in identifying issues and ensuring support is in place early on.”
Moray Council’s equalities champion, Cllr Juli Harris, said: “I’m delighted that our formalised approach is helping to support those members of staff who may be impacted by going through the menopause.
“The menopause can have a big impact on an individual and it is only right that we do everything we can to support those who are going through it.”
Moray Council has also published manager’s guidance, as well as introducing a dedicated training module for all staff with the aim of raising awareness of menopause.
The module contains a link to a short film created by NHS 24, in which individuals share their personal experience of menopause.