Three reasons employers need to recognise the menopause at work
Jo Brewis, University of Leicester ; Andrea Davies, University of Leicester ; Jesse Matheson, University of Leicester , and Vanessa Beck, University of Bristol Menopause , when periods stop for good, is a normal stage in every woman’s reproductive life. The symptoms usually begin in a woman’s forties, with the average age of menopause itself being 51. Experiences differ from woman to woman. Some report sailing through transition, others are pleased to no longer menstruate or be able to fall pregnant, or just embrace getting older. Symptoms also vary. Some are probably familiar – like unpredictable periods or heavy bleeding, hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep and emotional outbursts. Others are less well known, including growth or loss of body hair, clumsiness, pins and needles and moments of forgetfulness or poor concentration. About 25% of women have very debilitating symptoms. When we consider that most women in the UK now work outside of the home, and that e...