Advancing Menopause Policy In The Workplace
Online Event 5 October 2022, 9:00am - 3:00pm
#igppMENOPAUSE
9:00am
Online Registration
9:30am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Sarah Davies, Co-founder and Director, Talking Menopause
9:40am
Keynote Address: Investigating The Legislation, Challenges And Future Of Menopause In The Workplace
- Uncovering the current state of menopause in the workplace across the United Kingdom, examining the hidden difficulties faced by those experiencing menopause, particularly for individuals eligible for or in senior leadership roles
- Scrutinising workplace practices and the law, looking at the recent increases in employment tribunal litigation, and considering how menopause relates to the Equality Act 2010 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Implementing the 2019 Roadmap on Gender Equality, examining the outcomes of the recent Menopause and the Workplace survey
- Identifying future areas of improvement for those who are excluded from menopause discussions and building greater awareness
Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, Chair, Women and Equalities Committee (she/her)
10:00am
Keynote Address: Working With Health Services To Manage Menopause In The Workplace
- Bridging the connection between healthcare and the workplace through stronger communication and designing accessible work environments
- Ensuring access to HRT and high-quality menopause treatment as part of the strategy to close the gender health gap
- Increasing awareness and support for those experiencing menopause symptoms to enable individuals to stay in their workplaces and continue to thrive
- Collaborating to obtain accurate information regarding the menopause, exploring the issues faced across each of the perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal stages
Dr. Karen Michell, Research Programme Lead, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (she/her)
10:20am
Keynote Address: Menopause In The Workplace - Legal Requirements And Top Tips For Employers
- Research suggests that nearly a million working age employees have left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms.
- Recently several high profile women have spoken out about their symptoms which can significantly affect their ability to work.
- This increased awareness has led to menopause related claims against employers doubling this year and also highlighted to employers the need to act to protect and balance the needs of their workers and their businesses.
- Deborah Hely, partner and employment lawyer at international al law firm DAC Beachcroft LLP will explore what the legal requirements and best practice are for employers.
Deborah Hely, Partner – Employment, Immigration and Pensions Group, DAC Beachcroft LLP
10:40am
Questions And Answers Session
11:00am
Break and Networking
11:30am
Case Study: Strengthening Menopause Policy In UK Policing
- Implementing menopause guidance to support officers and staff going through the menopause, taking health and wellbeing concerns seriously
- Tackling misconceptions through educating the policing service on the genuine impact of menopause and providing information, guidance, and peer support
- Considering the future priorities for building an educational and compassionate environment within the police service
- Advancing the interventions outlined in the 2021 Management of Menopause Transition in the Police Service guidance
Brett Grange, Equality Lead, Greater Manchester Police Federation
11:45am
Emergency Services Approach To Menopause
- How we support individuals experiencing menopause
- How we have increased awareness of menopause across our workforce
- How we have given support to line managers around menopause
Nikki Watson, Deputy Chief Constable, Avon and Somerset Police
12:00pm
Case Study: Guide Dogs Approach To Menopause In The Workplace
- Guide Dogs approach to improving menopause support in the workplace
- Our first steps
- Changing perceptions of menopause
- Future plans
Vashti Holland, National Wellbeing Lead, Guide Dogs
12:15pm
Questions and Answers Session
12:35pm
Keynote Address: Advancing An Inclusive Menopause Conversation
- Transforming menopause discussions through including trans and non-binary people, recognising the current lack of safety and support in the workplace
- Promoting diverse dialogues about trans, non-binary, and intersex inclusive work environments, looking at the wider community impact of menopause and taking a people-centred approach
- Enhancing education, awareness and visibility across sectors, ensuring workplace policies incorporates assistance for any person experiencing hormone disruptions
- Prioritising fully inclusive and intersectional training around the menopause, providing adjustments to support all people with symptoms
Gill Dix, Head of Workplace Policy, Acas
12:50pm
Lunch And Networking
1:40pm
Keynote Address: Addressing The Unique Challenges Of Early Menopause In The Workplace
- Recognising the negative impacts of early menopause on women’s employment
- Looking at the wider difficulties from a lack of support in the workplace on emotional exhaustion, overcompensation of work performance, burnout and quality of life
- Understanding the interconnection between absenteeism and loss earnings on long-term employment outcomes, including on mental health and the gender pension gap
- Examining wider gender health inequalities and the increasing need to recognise the impact of menopause on labour market participation and treatment in the workplace
Gabriella Conti, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics and Social Research Institute, University College London
2:00pm
Case Study: How A Missed Period Turned Into Menopause Aged 23
- My experience with premature, surgical menopause at 23 years old
- Highlight that Menopause can be experienced at any age
Sophie Brooks, Digital Marketing Associate, Talking Menopause
2:05pm
Panel Session: Championing Best Practice Through A University Menopause Policy
- Pioneering menopause policy within Higher Education, leading best practice as an inclusive, responsible workplace
- Listening to employees to develop effective provisions and implement feedback from lived experiences
- Auditing existing policies and practices to remove unintentional barriers within frameworks and customs
- Reviewing lessons and changes since the policy was launched, in alignment with the Faculty of Occupational Medicine recommendations
Cathy Howells, Occupational Health Service Manager, University of Leicester; Dr Mary-Jane Budd, Senior Lecturer, University of East London; Jane Dashwood, Co-chair, University of Warwick Menopause Network
2:40pm
Questions And Answers Session
3:00pm
Chair’s Summary And Close