Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Dr. Heather Currie on November 24, 2016, 07:51:08 PM
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Really good programme about Menopause on ITV right now!
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I saw some of it.
Awesome in raising awareness in the work place toox
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I did see this, it was great for information about what the menopause is, but it would have been good to talk about how women can deal with the symptoms and what the options are.....
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You could have phoned in, one of the Doctors was doing a 'forum' after the programme.
It appears that Employers have been given 'guidelines' as to what support women may require in the workplace but I couldn't glean who from ::).
DH was a Manager and no way would he have been allowed under current Law to ask a lady what is wrong. Now guidelines at least will give managers the opportunity of telling Staff that these coping strategies are in place and 'if you ever need to talk about what you require in order to make your work/life style balance easier, you can talk to your Line Manager'. Of course Companies over a certain amount of employees have to have a Nurse on Site. But talking to the Nurse is different to talking to a Line Manager ::)
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What did you think over all Heather? A goer or not?
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I agree with Robotwars more info on dealing with the symptoms would have been good
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The programme wasn't about that ::) it was about the need to bring menopause into the workplace. How Managers should learn to deal with the problems that women might face as they age. How to accommodate The Change. Maybe have a look-see on 'catch up' ……….
Dealing with symptoms is where MM steps in :-\
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DH was a Manager and no way would he have been allowed under current Law to ask a lady what is wrong.
Well I think you are wrong there. As a manager one of my responsibilities, as it is with any manager, was to look after the welfare of my staff, whether they were male or female. And that did at times mean sitting down with them in private and asking what was wrong. You would be failing in your duties if you didn't.
Bramble
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The fact there was a programme at all about it was good. But I would have preferred if it had focussed more on the myriad of different symptoms and gave an indication of where a woman should go for help etc rather than spend quite a bit of the time focussing on how to deal with it in the workplace. I feel that should have been a much smaller segment.
And I have a bit of a problem with the female gp who more or less shrugged her shoulders and said a ten minute appointment was useless for a woman with menopause issues. If that is the case, And we all know it is, why can't she make the necessary changes in her practice to make longer appointment times in those instances? That makes me mad!
Bramble
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It was good that it raises menopause issues in the workplace but thought it was too " hot flush" focussed, which to me could be misleading about the wide range of menopause issues
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The programme was a start and easy to watch for those who haven't a clue how difficult it is to be menopausal for some women. Just because the 'change' is a natural process, it doesn't mean that symptoms can't be very serious and debilitating, and not down to a poor attitude. Hopefully, there will be more programmes to follow, perhaps addressing more in depth issues. I'm glad they touched on early and surgical menopause.
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I agree Samade, it focused too much on hot flushes which everyone knows about. Thought that was maybe more palatable than talking about heavy periods, flooding etc.
My workplace does not allow me to have any control over radiators so I did find the talk of guidelines interesting and it would maybe be an idea for me to get onto my union about this.
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I guess it was a start, but I think the programme was very light, a follow on programme would be good to explain that its not just about a hot flush! and there wasn't info on treatment, help etc.
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There's a new document out today
Guidance on menopause and the workplace (pdf) - 25th Nov 2016
You can download it here:
http://www.fom.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/Guidance-on-menopause-and-the-workplace-v6.pdf
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I haven't watched it yet but anything at all which raises awareness of menopause especially on national TV at fairly prime time has got to be a good thing! In terms of the workplace this is vital isn't it as pension age increases so a substantial proportion of women will be working through menopause and well beyond.
Interesting link Emma! Very timely guidance.
A couple of things I would take issue with in there: firstly top of page 3 - I would be somewhat disturbed by a move towards thinking about menopause as a disability which is mentioned :o . I agree women are adversely affect to a greater or lesser degree but a label such as this would be a retrograde step I feel. Any labels of health conditions carry with them an implication of acceptance and a possible "there there" approach. Whilst it is important to realise the severity of symptoms for some, we can and should all work towards treatment that means we can function normally and not dare I say it again - be signed off so that we can lie on a sofa and mop our brow until it passes. I know for some women a period of temporary sick leave may be necessary - but a disability ??? .
The other thing is at the end it says that menopause is a natural and temporary stage in women's lives - which of course is not strictly true in the sense that we know it. While the point at which the ovaries pack up only happens once, as we all know oestrogen deficiency lasts forever so for example employers and managers need to know that without HRT for some women hot flushes will last for many years after this point, and for others the low mood and depression caused by oestrogen deficiency may well only become apparent after hot flushes stop. Although this won't necessarily be attributed to menopause it may well lead to an apparent character change! "What's happened to so-and so? She used to be so lively and out-going".
Hurdity x
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thanks for the link Emma. While searching I found a couple of Unison guides
https://www.unison.org.uk/search/menopause/
From a personal point of view, this part is interesting to me
"Sickness absence procedures should make it
clear that they are flexible enough to cater for
menopause-related sickness absence. Women
should experience no detriment because they
may need time off during this time."
I hadn't had a day off in almost 10 years but have had periods of sickness over the last couple of years. My workplace is now proposing decreasing annual leave entitlement by 3 days for anyone without perfect attendance and I wonder if I can use this to challenge it.
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Really interesting comments Emma and Hurdity. I am an occupational therapist and if something causes a disruption of quality of life and difficulty carrying out activities of daily living, then this could classed as a disability temporary or long term.
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Bramble - the WHOLE point of the programme was how to encourage Employers to accept that menopausal symptoms require consideration within the work place!!!
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Yes but that would be the case for most of us surely - with lack of sleep due to night sweats affecting most women for a start let alone all the others symptoms and that certainly affects quality of life!!! It's the idea of classing it as a disability that I would take issue with as that would feel like being on a par with " the fairer sex" being weaker etc - and I would not want the idea of our whole gender being potentially classed as disabled through menopause for 10 years!!!! This does not mean that I don't think it is very important that it is recognised, treated, allowed for properly in the workplace etc - it is that definition (of disability) I would want to resist!
Hurdity x
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Nearly50 - there are some ladies who know NOTHING about menopause including hot flushes. It really did impact on me how much flushing can control a ladies quality of Life. The point of showing the lady flushing was to explain how the NHS accommodated her by allowing her to wear a Uniform in a different material to what is usually provided.
I wonder how many of you actually watched the programme :-\.
I did wonder in the early hours whether this particular lady suffered more severe hot flushes because she works in the Neo-natal Unit - it is proven that girls housed together in closed situations: i.e. Boarding School, Dancing College, Convents: are likely to menstruate within a few days of each other. I wonder if, by working at menopause in a Unit where there are hormones floating about - i.e. lactating mothers, tiny babies needing quality care - would encourage flushing?
Hurdity - would it be handy for Employers to use the 'disability' label in order to 'ditch' those affected! I was disabled by my periods but could never have gained disability assistance because it was 'what girls went through'.
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thanks for the link Emma. While searching I found a couple of Unison guides
https://www.unison.org.uk/search/menopause/
From a personal point of view, this part is interesting to me
"Sickness absence procedures should make it
clear that they are flexible enough to cater for
menopause-related sickness absence. Women
should experience no detriment because they
may need time off during this time."
I hadn't had a day off in almost 10 years but have had periods of sickness over the last couple of years. My workplace is now proposing decreasing annual leave entitlement by 3 days for anyone without perfect attendance and I wonder if I can use this to challenge it.
They are proposing this for anyone who takes a single day off sick during the year?
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A Union is required in order to Challenge this. Otherwise it could be seen as constructive dismissal.
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They are proposing this for anyone who takes a single day off sick during the year?
Yes, the Unions are negotiating changes to terms and conditions at the moment and this one is still on the table. We're getting 90 day notices in between Christmas and New Year. I think they'll word it that everyone's annual leave decreases, and those with Perfect Attendance get a bonus of 3 days extra. I'd say they get the bonus of having had good enough health to come into work every day! There is the assumption that everyone's at it, and this doesn't help women with menopausal symptoms trying to piece together a myriad of symptoms.
It is daft as if I have one day off sick, then I'll be making sure I have another 3 off at a time which suits me ;)
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The synchronisation of periods is a myth, I'm afraid. I was told this for a fact in Psychology many years ago and always doubted it (we were always sceptical about the scientific methods used by psychologists). The original researchers where not very hot on their maths and statistics. What they 'uncovered' was random chance which they failed to follow up in the long term.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37256161
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However, when I was on holiday with girls only, we all started periods within 3 days of each other: and I wasn't due for weeks ::)
Nearly50 - this idea is a Change of Contract ………. but relying on the whole Company or Dept. to stick to the idea that no one will sign is difficult to maintain - been there, done that, got kicked in the teeth :'(
One cannot be dismissed due to being off sick. One cannot be made redundant if the job remains …….. however, if a Company does not allow a Union in place they can get away with the above :sigh:
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Going back to the lady GP who said that a 10 minute appointment was insufficient to address a lot of the issues a menopausal woman needs to raise, well when I want to discuss something at length with my GP or more than one issue, I usually book a double appointment. I have never been challenged for doing so, in fact my GP likes it because if I don't take up the whole 20 minutes it helps them catch up if they are running late :)
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Hi BJ - I muttered "so allow patients to make a double appt." when she told the viewers that 10 mins. isn't enough. Whose time is it anyway ::) and take that List!
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I tried to find this programme last night but it didn't appear on the ITV Hub - which is a weird thing - I couldn't find anywhere to look up programmes accoridng to the viewing timetable, there seemed to be a random assortment and when I typed in "menopause" into the search facility nothing came up!! iPlayer is so much better - good job I don't rarely watch ITV! Has anyone found it or managed to watch it on catch-up at all?
Hurdity x
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Good morning
On itv hub t shows the tonight programme and says 5 episodes select that and you will see the menopause programme 😁
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I've only ever had 10 minute appointments with my GP and she still managed to sort my meno symptoms - if a GP hasn't the first idea, then obviously it will take longer, but she kept herself informed (partly through this website!) and so didn't take ages to work out what to suggest (thought I might need longer with my new GP who hadn't even heard of VA or Ovestin...)
It would be good to see more flexibility in the workplace though. I am really struggling at work now. There are lots of things they could do which would make my life a lot easier and improve my productivity, but they are very inflexible. For example, the uniform is very fixed, I can't add or subtract layers and the fibres aren't natural, which means I spend most of my working day either boiling with hot flushes, or freezing cold and shivering once they have passed.
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I would wear what is comfy for me and if they threatened to sack me that is 'constructive dismissal' because they haven't been seen to ease my work place situation. Employers have a 'duty of care' after all and it may be that 'they' have no idea how hormonal upheaval works!
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Good morning
On itv hub t shows the tonight programme and says 5 episodes select that and you will see the menopause programme 😁
Thanks Autumn16! - I didn't know it was part of another programme - so it's called "Tonight"? My ITV Hub just gave various programmes and the day they were on but almost nothing for Thursday eve. Will have another go at some point :)
Hurdity x
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It would be interesting to see if they get the decrease in holidays through as to me this clearly discrminates against age, it is a known fact that as we get older we may suffer from more absence just because our bodies aren't as good at recovery and in all honesty wearing out (I'm referring to things like hips, knees, etc). Considerate employers would be looking to relax sickness absence procedures for the older workforce precisely for this, and with the fact that there no longer is a default retirement age there're going to be a hell of a lot employers spending time putting their older employees through capability hearings. Same applies for women and the menopause as there are far more women in work now. Employers are advised not to offer length of service awards as this discriminates against younger employees so surely common sense applies to older employee!
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I would wear what is comfy for me and if they threatened to sack me that is 'constructive dismissal' because they haven't been seen to ease my work place situation. Employers have a 'duty of care' after all and it may be that 'they' have no idea how hormonal upheaval works!
It's a new job - I had to move to the other end of the country, having been unable to find work in my home area, so I can't risk losing this job or I will probably end up homeless and miles from everyone I know.
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A new job should be exciting not fraught with worries about 'what if I ……… ' :sigh:
Is there an Occupational Health Dept. Dorothy? Many years ago I had a 'run in' with 'management' (who couldn't have run a party in a brewery >:( ) and it exhausted me :-\
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Re the discussion about disability...the medical model alone is a bit outmoded now, and we've been moving to a more social model. Many disabled people have rejected the medical model so it seems as if the workplace were addressing any disabilities from the social model:
http://www.scope.org.uk/about-us/our-brand/social-model-of-disability
It is not the disability so much as how it affects a person. In reality, both models have their place. The powers that be can and have corrupted the use of the social model for their own ends e.g. to cut disability benefits
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A new job should be exciting not fraught with worries about 'what if I ……… ' :sigh:
Is there an Occupational Health Dept. Dorothy? Many years ago I had a 'run in' with 'management' (who couldn't have run a party in a brewery >:( ) and it exhausted me :-\
No, it's quite a small setup. TBH, I don't think I'd like the job anyway, whatever they did, and exciting it certainly isn't, so I think I'd rather keep my head down, save up some money and look for something I prefer. I didn't want to take it in the first place, but when it's the first thing you've been offered in 18 months, you can't be choosy and it's much easier to find a job when you are already employed!
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So new search in the New Year ;)
Chart your Life Skills
Chart your work place Skills i.e. good management skills, communication skills, problem solving
Can you diversify ? Could you join a Charity with a view to becoming employed?
How have you settled by moving? (new thread?)