Homeworking assists in coping with menopause

Two-thirds of women experiencing menopausal symptoms have found homeworking has helped them cope, according to a poll by the Community union.

The union said a return to office working after the pandemic could threaten a “revolution” in how women workers deal with the menopause. Of those who were able to work from home and experienced menopause symptoms, 67% said they wanted homeworking to continue to be an option available to them.

Menopausal women represent the fastest growing part of the UK workforce.

There are over 3.5 million women experiencing symptoms of menopause at work, many of whom, said Community, feel unsupported, pushed out of work, unable to access training or miss out on promotion opportunities.

Community regional organiser Jennifer Dean said: “There are millions of menopausal women at work in the UK, but too many feel that there is no place for them in the workforce.

“During the pandemic companies learned that many jobs can be done remotely, keeping business going by embracing flexible work policies.

“The same flexibility also offers menopausal women the support they need to go on with their job while coping with symptoms.”

She said this is why the union is calling for flexible working to be a right for all workers from day one.

“Employers must continue to embrace flexible working beyond the pandemic to ensure no worker is pushed out of the workforce because they are menopausal.”