Working women have no support for menopause

A recent survey from the Unite general union finds that 83% of female members experiencing the menopause do not have access to support within Britain's workplaces.

Out of 11,000 female members, 9,000 reported that they had no access to support at work.

This included being denied necessities and simple adjustments, such as fans for the office or time off, leaving menopausal women to work in uncomfortable conditions during debilitating experiences like hot flushes.

And those who do have access to menopause support expressed "serious unease" when talking about the topic at work. Often this was because of male dominated environments with many male managers seemingly oblivious to the health implications of the menopause.

Unite says the lack of support is forcing workers to take early retirement and to work in unreasonable conditions.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: "It's despicable that so many women do not have access to basic support. It's a serious industrial matter and attitudes must shift as we work to make lasting improvements for everyone in the workplace."

The union is increasing its efforts to ensure employers introduce menopause awareness polices, for menopause awareness to be made compulsory for employers and menopause-related sickness to be discounted from sickness absence.