Supporting the menopause at work: a masterclass

Overview

Menopause is a natural stage of life which affects millions of people who have a menstrual cycle.

The physiological and psychological symptoms of the menopause can affect people at work. Workers report a loss of confidence in their ability to do their job, or feelings of stress, anxiety or depression.

This may lead to people deciding to leave their jobs early, not seek promotion, and can result in skills shortages in workplaces.

Employers who understand menopause and create supportive workplaces are better placed to:

retain talent
reduce absence
build inclusive and productive workplace cultures.

This masterclass brings together Acas experts and leading guest speakers to explore:

understanding menopause and peri-menopause and its potential impact at work
employer responsibilities and legal consideration
creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture
practical tools for managers to have confident and effective conversations
workplace adjustments and support that can help employees remain productive and engaged
time off for medical appointments

Business Need

Employers of all sizes and sectors are affected. Managers may feel uncertain about how to approach conversations about menopause or be unsure what support may be appropriate.

Without appropriate support, menopause can affect an employee's ability to work to their full potential. It can also create barriers to progression, with some employees choosing not to pursue promotion opportunities or leaving employment altogether.

There is also growing awareness of legal risks associated with failing to provide appropriate support. Employers need to understand their responsibilities and how menopause may interact with equality, health and wellbeing, and workplace policies.

This event will help employers and managers better understand menopause, their responsibilities in supporting employees, and practical approaches that can improve employee wellbeing, engagement and retention.

Attendees will gain confidence in having supportive conversations and implementing workplace practices. These can help people remain successful at work throughout menopause.

Suitable For

Those who would benefit from attending this event include:

Line managers, supervisors and team leaders
HR professionals
Business owners
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leads
Occupational Health professionals
Trade Union and employee representatives
Wellbeing leads
Individuals wishing to further their professional development

Programme

Chaired by Krissy Simmons, Senior Business Advisor, Acas

This masterclass will include the following speaker sessions:

Good practice, workplace support and the law - Dwinder Virk, Senior Business Adviser, Acas

why menopause matters in today's workplaces
employer legal responsibilities and good practice (including time off)
managing absence, capability and performance concerns fairly
creating policies and approaches that support employees

Menopause: understanding the experience - Dr Krystal Wilkinson, Reader (Associate Professor) in Human Resource Management, Manchester Metropolitan University

the stages of menopause and common symptoms
how symptoms can affect employees differently
physical, cognitive and emotional impacts in the workplace
dispelling myths and misconceptions
women's reproductive health across the life course alongside menopause

Lived experience: what support really looks like - Margaret Wood, Director, The Time for Change

personal experiences of working through menopause
common workplace barriers and challenges
small adjustments that made a significant difference
what organisations often misunderstand

Equipping managers with practical skills - Dr Clare Edge, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Salford

having effective and confident conversations about menopause
creating psychologically safe workplaces
identifying and implementing reasonable workplace adjustments
developing an inclusive culture where people feel comfortable seeking support

Discussion Panel / Q&A Session

Creating menopause-inclusive workplaces: lessons from practice

what good workplace support looks like
balancing individual needs and business requirements
success stories and lessons learned
questions from delegates

Please note: this programme may be subject to change to ensure the content reflects current best practice guidance