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[AuntyBiz]

Hi All

I'm just wondering how everyone copes with the peri-menopause/menopause when they are working.  Is your workplace supportive or do they even know, would you talk to your line manager around your symptoms?  I'm quite lucky that I work in a very compassionate environment but I wonder how receptive organisations are to providing support or indeed if they even do?

Biz xxx

[CLKD]

There are ladies here who have had problems in the work place due to hormonal issues. 

It really does depend on how familiar the managers/colleagues are with hormone problems. 

[Linsey44]

https://worksmart.org.uk/health-advice/illnesses-and-injuries/your-body/menopause

This may be of interest to some women who are not supported at work.

Linseyx

[CLKD]

   clever girl, I can never manage that 

[AuntyBiz]

Thanks both, I think I've seen something similar from ACAS  but in the gran scheme of things it's not a huge help is it   

[Galadriel]

My company (German company) does not have anything specific in their policy documents about menopause.

That said, my manager (a German man with a wife the same age as me, going through similar crap) has been so supportive and very easy to talk to. If I can't face coming into the office, I can work from home. When I need time off to see my psychologist this isn't an issue and he's never once said 'do extra hours to catch up'. I wouldn't swap him for anything!!!

Galadriel x

[Galadriel]

My worst nightmare would be a female boss, similar age, who was sailing through the change without batting an eyelid!

Galadriel x

[Chocolatechaos]

I work in the NHS in very demanding and stressful environment. I have  peri at an early age so was signed off work initially. When I went back to work it was on restricted hours but there was no policy for that. In fact hr told me they couldn't follow my gp instruction so I should stay off work. It took a fight for them to agree for me to come back on half shifts. Then I quickly returned full time but it was assumed that I had magically recovered but I hadn't.  I cope at work but working alone in stressful situations or for long hours without a break takes its toll on me. Occ health have been involved and have reduced my clinical workload a bit and I don't work for hours or nights alone. It works at the moment but I am still having anxiety issues some days related to a lack of confidence in myself. I hope things will improve.

[Linsey44]

Well Galadriel i am in the unfortunate position of not one but two female bosses.  You are so lucky.

Linsey x

[Joyce]

Chocolatechaos, NHS is very stressful environment for sure. My daughter is a nurse & is often exhausted from stress at work. So much pressure. In about 10 years or so she may be going through similar to yourself.

I worked in all female environment. My supervisor was same age as me & although she had a few meno problems, she's come out the other side ok. She is now a friend & sympathises with me. Others who still work beside her are starting on this meno journey too.

[Galadriel]

Oh joy Linsey44 

I've had a couple of female bosses but only one of them was a decent human being!

Galadriel x

[Nikki180515]

Hi

I am a teacher and after my full hysterectomy in May this year, went back full time in September, but hadn't really taken proper time off to recover from my op, as worked from home while I was off for 7 weeks.

Anyway it's now back fired and have been signed off work for 4 weeks and put in anti depressants as haven't coped emotionally with the stress of work and think hormones are not balanced at all.

My boss who is a female and sailed through the menopause has been very supportive, she just wants me to get my health back and says take the time I need. I work in an all female staff and have all been very supportive, so I am one of the lucky ones!

Am giving advice now to my hubby who has a lady at work with depression and is struggling at work, so trying to give him an insight to how she may be feeling and to cut her some slack! I must admit until I felt like this and wouldn't have had much sympathy with someone going through it, not because I'm a cold hearted person, it's just that I didn't understand and didn't know how to help.

I think managers should have some training on these matters or have a service within the company to help people in these situations, which I know some do.

When I'm ready to go back to work, my boss and I have already discussed a phased return and to build it up slowly.   

Hope you get the support you need

Nikki xx

[AuntyBiz]

Hello all,

Thank you for all of your responses, it's great to hear that some of you have supportive line managers/organisations.  Galadriel your post made me chuckle about the female bosses.  I've had several female line managers and the majority of them haven't been very supportive and that's before I was peri-menopausal so I'm glad they don't line manage me now!

This is something I feel particularly passionate about as I really believe more should be done in terms of accomodating ladies who are peri/menopausal.  We have policies and procedures for pregnancy/maternity why not the menopause which is a transitionary period on our lives?  It's not only the physical symptoms which can wreak havoc with our ability to work but also the psychological aspects which can have a huge impact. 

I work for a teeny little occupational health organisation (we're not for profit) and some ladies have terrible problems.  If you're working in a target driven organisation and you are having difficulties with concentration/memory can you imagine the impact it may have on you achieving targets? That compounded by having a manager who doesn't understand (through no fault of their own) would exacerbate the situation.   
@chocolatechaos the lack of confidence sounds very familiar and I can empathise, I'm glad your Occy Health have tried to implement measures to support you. 

@nikki180515 that's fab that you are now offering support to your hubby's colleague   I completely agree re training for managers and it's something I'm hoping to work on in the New Year.

I was so chuffed when I saw the Chief Medical Officer saying it's a topic we need to talk about.  I think I've been guilty of brushing it to one side and not really considering what impact it has until I was found to be peri and galloping towards the menopause earlier this year at 47.

AuntyBiz

xxx