Menopause and Andropause Policy

About this Policy

 

The Society is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of our colleaguesat every stage in life. The menopause is a natural stage of life which affects around half of the population, managing the effects of the menopause at work is important. It is also important to recognise andropause (also incorrectly known as the male menopause). This policy sets out the support available to colleagues experiencing menopausal and andropausal symptoms and aims to raise awareness and encourage an open, understanding working environment.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy.

This policy does not form part of any contract of employment and the Society may amend it at any time.

 

Menopause 

 

All women will experience menopause at some point during their life. Menopause can also impact trans, intersex and non-binary people who may not identify as female in the same manner. It is a natural event during which they stop having periods and experience hormonal changes such as a decrease in oestrogen levels. Every person’s experience of menopause will be different, and the changing hormones can affect physical, emotional and mental health.

 

Some people might also experience early menopause or go through surgical menopause earlier in their lives. These types of menopause can be medically complicated and should also be considered when supporting a colleague.

 

All stages and types of the menopause are different, and symptoms can vary from person to person, and range from very mild to severe. Symptoms can start a few months or years before menopause, known as perimenopause, during which the body prepares itself for menopause. On average, most symptoms last around 4 years from the last period. However, around 1 in every 10 women experience them for up to 12 years.

 

Common symptoms include:

• Hot flushes

• Night sweats

• Difficulty sleeping

• Low mood or anxiety

• Problems with memory and concentration

• Headaches

• Fatigue

 

This list is not exhaustive and symptoms will vary from person to person.

 

Colleagues should speak to their GP, nurse or a pharmacist to gain advice and help with their menopause symptoms.

 

Each of these symptoms can have a significant adverse effect on a colleague’s personal life and at work. We appreciate managing symptoms at work can be especially hard where a colleague finds it difficult to talk about menopause at work. Therefore, we ask colleagues who might be experiencing menopause symptoms to which may impact or have an effect on their work, to be as open as possible and speak to their manager. Early notification will help line managers to determine the most appropriate support. 

 

Andropause

 

Andropause (more commonly clinically referred to as late-onset hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency syndrome) refers to the symptom’s men experience as their testosterone production levels decrease with age. Andropause is not the male equivalent to female menopause, however after the age of 40, testosterone levels start to decline steadily, although it is unlikely to cause any problems. Testosterone levels can also decline due to medications and lifestyle choices

 

 Symptoms that are common in men at this age include:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Erectile dysfunction

• Mood swings and irritability

• Loss of muscle mass and reduced ability to exercise

• Lack of energy

• Difficulty sleeping or increased tiredness

• Poor concentration and short-term memory

 

These symptoms are not exhaustive and specific to andropause, however they can interfere with everyday personal life and at work, so it's important to find the underlying cause and work out what can be done to resolve it. Colleagues should speak to their GP, to gain advice and help with their symptoms.

 

Support

 

We have a variety of initiatives to support colleague wellbeing such as the wellbeing passport and our colleague assistance program (Grocery aid). The wellbeing passport can be used to support colleagues to have a conversation with their line manager about needing adjustments due to menopausal and andropause symptoms, or the symptoms and side effects of the treatments being received. This will also act as a record of conversation of the adjustments agreed.  

 

Colleagues can access associated information to support their wellbeing on our dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing page on Colleagues Connect. Colleagues can also access the Your Health Guide to Menopause here.

 

Grocery Aid offers a dedicated Wellbeing Platform for help with inividual symptoms and a dedicated Menopause guide providing information on what menopause is, symptoms, support options available and how to access these, and useful ideas for managing troublesome menopausal symptoms more effectively. Colleagues can also download the mental health support app, designed by Everymind to access dedicated menopause resources and individual symptoms, for more information click here.

 

The Sexual Advice Association have a useful factsheet on testosterone deficiency (andropause) , providing information, symptoms and treatment.

 

Colleagues should ‘check in’ regularly with their manager to discuss their individual wellbeing and help to identify how to manage any symptoms and any health needs at work.   It is important to have early and regular conversations to make sure continued support and procedures are in place so colleagues can continue to work effectively. It is important to note that these conversations should be treated sensitively, and any information provided should be handled confidentially.

 

Every person’s experience of menopause or andropause is different, appropriate adjustments may be considered where a colleague is experiencing difficulties at work and managers may seek further advice from occupational health where suitable.

 

Support for Managers

 

Managers can access support resources, helping them to help a colleague. GroceryAid helpline partner Care First offer extra support and resources for managers.

 

Please visit the managers area for additional support, including:

• Freephone advice, information and counselling service

• Online information resources (including managing a team, noticing problems, supporting a critical incident, helping you to help your colleague)

• Management consultancy

 

External Sources of Support

 

There are lots of external sources of help and support for colleagues and managers to access, a few are listed below:

 

• Menopause Matters provides information about the menopause, menopause

• Women's health concern provides a confidential, independent service to advise, reassure and educate women of all ages about their gynaecological and sexual health, wellbeing and lifestyle concerns.

• Newson Health provide support for women during the perimenopause and menopause.

• CIPD - Menopause at work: guidance for line managers offers practical advice on what a manager needs to know about the menopause to effectively support their team.

• Tackle testosterone deficiency aims to provide men who may have the condition with the information and resources they require to seek the help they need.

• Sexual Advice Association are a charitable organisation which aims to help improve the sexual health and wellbeing of men and women.

 

Additional Support

 

If you have any questions regarding this policy or require additional support, you should speak to your line manager. Alternatively, you can contact the HR Advisor for your business group, or email HR.advice@midcounties.coop