Aberdeenshire MSP launches workplace menopause survey
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Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has launched a survey, “Menopause at Work”, which seeks information on the effects menopause is having on working life, and how employees are supported in the workplace.
You may respond to the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/97KTJKX
The survey invites menopause-experienced women from across Scotland to respond and to share their experiences of working while going through the menopause.
A report will be produced on the findings.
Menopause symptoms typically last around four years and include problems with sleep, memory, and concentration as well as disruptive hot flashes, anxiety and depression.
Research has shown that women with at least one problematic menopausal symptom were 43 per cent more likely to have left their jobs by the age of 55-years-old.
BUPA found that almost 900,000 women in the UK had left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms.
Gillian Martin MSP has been campaigning for improvements to workplace menopause policies for many years, and she firmly believes that employers would benefit from supporting working women who are experiencing the menopause.
The Aberdeenshire East MSP plans to present the report and its findings to the Scottish Government and public bodies with a view to encouraging action to improve workplace menopause policies in Scotland.
Ms Martin designed the survey with a focus on collecting qualitative data, asking respondents to describe in their own words their experience of menopause symptoms, how they’ve been supported at work, and their ideas of an ideal workplace menopause policy.
This is the first survey of its kind in Scotland.
KnowYourMenopause creator 50Sense (Elizabeth Carr-Ellis) responded: "It’s great to see the woman on the street having their chance to have a say and record their experience of menopause. I’ve had many women tell me how menopause has affected them in the workplace – and I know how it hit me: lying awake at night worrying, too scared to take promotions.
But anecdotal evidence is not enough; to make real change, we need to have real numbers and information. Too many women have left the workplace because of menopause symptoms.
This is our chance to end that. Please, take five minutes and make a difference."
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said:“Menopause is a normal and natural part of life that all of us women go through but the impact of its symptoms can make working lives difficult. Unfortunately broaching the subject of menopause is something most employees are not comfortable doing, which prevents them from seeking necessary adjustments.
"Hopefully by raising awareness and encouraging conversation around menopause, the stigma and taboo will gradually fade away.
"I believe that small supports and good menopause policies will help women work better and longer, and this is good for employers as well as employees.
“My hope in conducting this survey is to open up the conversation and to invite people to talk openly about their menopause symptoms, how they’re impacted at work, and what kind of support they may have that has worked for them.
"By presenting the findings to the Scottish Government, I hope to influence much needed change and improvements to menopause policies in workplaces across Scotland and they are best designed with women- so I’m calling on women across Scotland to have their say.”
