In this article, Lynda tells the story of a potentially embarrassing situation and how it serves to perfectly illustrate how reasonable adjustments can help to make menopause in the workplace more manageable for everyone involved…
Small considerations can make a big difference
By Lynda Bailey – Founder of Making Menopause Work
I’m known for being pretty direct. But even I wasn’t expecting THAT…! 😱 🤣
Spend a few minutes with me and you’ll realise I don’t pussyfoot around potentially difficult conversations. I typically say it as it is and don’t avoid talking about ‘awkward’ issues.
So I was shocked… for a few seconds! Then the grin crept onto my face.
Imagine the scene.
I’m at the NEC in Birmingham at The Emergency Services Show. Sharing the stage with Shendy, a police officer who’s working with me to help to raise awareness around how menopause affects women in the workplace – to encourage greater understanding and consideration at all levels.
It’s a double act: I’m in a trouser suit, she’s in full uniform. Immediately before we start, I say to her: “Right, so we’ll do a Q&A type thing. I’ll ask you questions, like ‘What’s the one symptom that impacts you the most?’, and you can give simple answers and talk about your experience. Okay?”
Now, I already knew from our previous conversations that she’d lost her confidence, she was anxious and all of those things. So I honestly believe that’s what she’s going to talk about.
But what does she say when I ask about the symptom with the biggest impact?
“Vaginal dryness.”
Whoa! The whole audience emits an audible gasp. I do a bit of a double-take. But Shendy can’t hear or see the reaction because she’s intent on sharing why it sometimes affects her work.
Okaaaaaay. Let’s run with that then!
She explains that female police uniform trousers are typically pretty tight-fitting and pretty cheap. There’s no nice inner lining to help minimise any potential discomfort. The impact for her? Lots of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Unpleasant at the best of times, I think you’ll agree. Especially if they don’t clear up quickly because of ongoing irritation.
Thanks to the menopause awareness training they’d received, Shendy was able to speak openly with her managers about this problem – and agree on a slight adjustment to her working practices.
Now, when she’s suffering from a UTI, she doesn’t wear a uniform and focuses on other parts of her job that don’t require her to be in uniform. It’s a solution that works for her and for her employers too.
Sometimes, just little adjustments in the workplace is all it takes. But without a suitably supportive environment, it’s often not even an option for women explain their issues and have the conversation.
Have you received menopause awareness training in your workplace yet?
We offer dedicated Leadership & Manager Training, as well as Employee Awareness sessions.
To learn more about the tailored support we can provide for your organisation, please get in touch.