Menopause Awareness

St John Ambulance Cymru is a leader in the field when it comes to menopause awareness training. We are one of the few training oragnisations in Wales that offer an in-person course for this important topic. Not only that, but when it comes to first aid training, we are the gold-standard in Wales. As a member of the Voluntary Aid Society (VAS), St John Ambulance sets the standard that all other training providers must follow.

When it comes to the impact on menopause at work, there are some key figures we can look at which can inform us on current wellbeing issues facing colleagues currently undergoing it. For example, did you know that 1 in 10 women will leave their job because of the menopause. how about the fact that 90% of menopausal women develop symptoms, which could appear at work? Clearly, people experiencing menopause face difficulties at work. Other problems that can arise from not treating menopause with care in your business can be a decrease in productivity and increase in sick days. It can also hinder an organisations efforts at diversity and inclusion. That's why line managers actually play a critical role in managing menopause and creating a menopause friendly workplace.

Having employees that are trained in menopause awareness can have huge benefits to your business. For example, if menopausal colleagues feel that there is a sympathetic work environment in place, it is likely to reduce or remove entirely many associated workplace issues, such as improving productivity and reducing absenteeism. Furthermore, if colleagues feel that their workplace is supportive of their needs, then it increases the possibility of talent retention, and can improve the external image of your business. Most importantly though, increased training ultimately reduces stigma surrounding one of the most natural and commonplace experiences in any workplace.

During the menopause transition, women commonly experience symptoms that affect both physical and mental health. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and fatigue are frequent, alongside challenges such as difficulty concentrating and memory issues, often referred to as "menopausal brain fog." Hormonal fluctuations during this period can contribute to anxiety and depression. Seeking support from healthcare professionals is crucial, as they can offer guidance on managing both the physical and mental aspects of menopause.

If a menopausal employee feels as if they are being discriminated against because of what they are experiencing, then this can result in legal implications for you as an employer. The Equality Act 2010 is the major UK legislation that addresses discrimination and harassment based on various protected characteristics, including age, sex, and disability. Menopause is considered a protected characteristic under the Act, and employers have a legal obligation to protect menopausal employees from discrimination and harassment. Under the Equality Act, employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate employees experiencing menopausal symptoms. Should this not be done, this opens your business up to potential problems.

We teach our menopause awareness course across Wales. We can also come to your place of work if six or more employees need to be trained. You can either search for a course below, or alternatively submit your email address above and our Commercial Training team will get back to you shortly with a no-obligation quote.