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The menopause in the workplace
A trade union issue
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Included in this session
What is the menopause and why is it a trade union issue? Who is affected Menopause symptoms Wales TUC and TUC research Women’s experience at work What can employers do? What can unions do? Group activities
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What is the menopause? Periods stop 45-55 yrs Changes to health
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The menopause and work – a trade union issue
Occupational health and safety issue Equality issue
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48% women make up nearly half of the Welsh workforce Who is affected?
47% of working women are over 50 216,000 workers in Wales Many others can be affected by menopausal symptoms: early menopause women receiving treatments for endometriosis or infertility non-binary, transgender and intersex women make up nearly half of the Welsh workforce
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Common menopause symptoms
hot flushes headaches sleep disturbance tiredness and lack of energy sweating heavy periods anxiety and/or depression urinary problems aches and pains dry skin and eyes vaginal symptoms
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TUC survey of health and safety reps (2003)
500 health and safety reps surveyed: 1 in 3 reported management criticism of menopause related sick leave A third cited embarrassment or difficulties in discussing the menopause with their employers 1 in 5 spoke of criticism, ridicule and even harassment from managers when the subject was broached 45% of those interviewed said their managers didn’t recognise problems associated with the menopause
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Wales TUC research into the menopause in the workplace (2016-17)
Survey received almost 4000 responses; of those with direct experience: 88% felt the menopause affected working life 1 in 5 felt unable to raise issue with their manager at all. 2 in 5 would but only in a confidential setting or with a union rep Over half said the gender of their line manager influenced a decision to discuss the menopause. 31% felt the menopause was treated negatively in their workplace, 29% said it was not treated negatively, significantly 40% didn’t know. 58% reported the menopause being treated as a ‘joke’ topic at work
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Group activity: The menopause – a health and safety and workplace issue?
In considering the issues and symptoms that some women might face, what advice could you a member with this issue? In your groups please discuss and make a list of 5 practical things that could be done. Now, again in your groups, consider what you can do collectively as a union to address the workplace issues around the menopause more generally in the workplaces where your union is active. Make a list of 5 things that could be achieved.
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What can employers do? Training for all managers Risk assessments
Awareness campaigns Adapt policies and procedures Point of contact
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What can unions do? Some ideas…..
Raise the issue through your branch and consult members Raise at health and safety committee meetings Awareness raising campaigns or events in the workplace Ask employers to provide training for all managers Review existing policies to check they take the menopause into account and/or consider a specific menopause policy Check that risk assessments take the menopause into account More women union reps and health and safety reps
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Contact for further information:
Resources and next steps Available now: survey report campaign asks toolkit including: example policy and risk assessment case studies tools Coming soon: e-note course Diolch – thank you.
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