Menopause is a Trade Union issue.
The menopause is a significant life event for many people. You may have experienced it, be experiencing it now, or perhaps you will experience it in the future. You will have family, friends, colleagues, and users of services who have or will experience it.
World Menopause Day falls on October 18th and it is a campaign to raise awareness of the menopause and support options to improve health and wellbeing. The theme for 2022 is ‘Cognition and Mood.’
The Social Worker’s Union (SWU) has published a leaflet on World Menopause Day 2022: “Let’s start a conversation about menopause at work”
This includes a list of useful links:
- TUC guidance for union representatives: Supporting working women through the menopause
- Community Trade Union: Menopause at Work campaign
- NHS England: Why is the menopause relevant to our organisation and to me and my team?
- Menopause Whilst Black podcast
- Queer / LGBTQIA+ Menopause: Inclusive menopause information
SWU General Secretary, John McGowan commented:
“I am delighted to have been involved in the development of this leaflet. Menopause is a workplace issue and a Trade Union issue. Employers have a duty to prevent workplace discrimination and to make reasonable adjustments to ensure anyone experiencing menopause can work safely through it. 79% of workers in the health and social work sector will experience menopause. However, social workers experiencing menopause are regularly facing unsympathetic treatment and possible discrimination in workplaces poorly equipped to deal with menopause. We need to foster a culture of awareness, openness and inclusivity that will help people to feel supported during this normal life stage.”

BASW hosted an online event on 18th October 2022 providing opportunities for discussion, questions and sharing of experiences.
A recording of this webinar will be made available on BASW’s YouTube channel shortly.