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Kate Dyson

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Kate is a content writer, social media obsessive and community creator. She's also mum to three kids, two dogs and unsurprisingly, a lover of wine.

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Glossary

For words you might want to know more

Menopause

Menopause is a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's menstrual cycles, typically occurring in her 40s or 50s, and characterised by symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and reduced fertility.

Bladder weakness

Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter. Urge incontinence is usually the result of overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder.

Hot Flushes and Board Meetings: Time to Talk Menopause at Work?

It’s a universal truth we can't avoid, akin to death, taxes, and Boris Johnson's inevitable foot-in-mouth moments. It's the big M - Menopause. Yet, despite menopause being as natural as dawn breaking and night falling, it remains a taboo topic in the workplace. So how do we change 'the change' at work?

Ah, the change. The big M. Menopause. Whether you are perimenopausal already, post menopausal or just wanting to support someone in your life going through menopause there is a gaping, massive chasm where support is often needed most: at work.

For many women, the symptoms of menopause are manageable, let's say. Grim, but manageable. And we do manage things well, certainly a lot better than the flapping hands, hot-flushing cartoons and tropes would have you believe. The reality of coping with menopause at work can be pretty tough; whether you are in the depths of brain-fog reaching for 'thingymejig' in the middle of a meeting, or experiencing hot flashes in front of colleagues, or needing to run to the loo every five mins... it's a lot.

Let's Talk About M-words, Baby

We’re not strangers to "m" words here. Motherhood? We’ve embraced it. Multi-tasking? Mastered it. Menopause? Mmm...bit hush-hush, isn't it? The workplace, ever the bastion of subtlety, has been known to frown upon anything that might imply we're human – with feelings, bodies, and hormones that don't operate on a 9-5 schedule. But it’s high time we challenged the notion that menopause should be our little secret, whispered only to our GPs and best mates over a bottle of Shiraz. We need to embrace it in the workplace too.

Why The Workplace Needs Ageing Women

Now, the human resource gurus might be tossing around terms like 'silver tsunami,' but let's call it what it is – a flood of wisdom and expertise. When we talk about the ageing workforce, we’re really talking about a deep well of knowledge, experiences, and bloody good problem-solving skills.

Women in their menopausal years are not winding down; they're revving up. They’re the driving force of our industries, leading with sagacity that can't be manufactured or bought. The BBC's Jane Garvey perfectly sums it up: “Older women in the workplace are a force to be reckoned with. They've seen it all, they've done it all.”

So yes, we do have hot flushes and memory lapses, but we also have resilience built over decades of trials, tribulations, and the endless juggling act of work-life balance. It’s about time society acknowledged the importance of supporting us through menopause in the same way they do ageing men.

The Wee Issue of Menopausal Symptoms

Among the whirlwind of menopausal symptoms - hot flushes, night sweats, and mood swings, to name a few - there's one that often slips under the radar: bladder issues. Yes, ladies, as if hot flushes and sleepless nights weren't enough, menopause throws another curveball at us - the ever-looming fear of a sneeze leading to an unscheduled change of knickers.

Now, try navigating this in a workplace that barely acknowledges menopause exists, let alone the associated bladder gymnastics. But we're not here to throw a pity party. We're here to raise awareness, foster understanding, and advocate for change.

Facilitating the Conversation in the Workplace

The truth is, having these conversations shouldn’t be as challenging as finding a decent pair of jeans that fit just right (we all know the struggle is real). How about we start acknowledging menopause symptoms instead of awkwardly looking away when someone fans herself during a board meeting? Why not provide cool workspaces and flexible hours for women dealing with the worst of the symptoms? And if a woman needs a few extra loo breaks, let’s support her without judgment and stop the eyerolls and comments of "didn't she just go?' or 'what is she doing in there?!'.

The Power of Knowledge and Support

Did you know that when women feel supported at work during menopause, their work engagement, job satisfaction, and organisational commitment improve? A little empathy goes a long way and what's more, reducing the stress and frustrations around related issues like bladder care can lead to happier, more productive workplaces.

The Bottom Line

Menopause is not the end. It's merely the next chapter - and it’s time we challenged the culture around menopause at work. Let's celebrate the women navigating this journey, by opening up conversations and validating women's experiences of menopause, in whatever guise it happens for each individual. By being honest about how they are managing their symptoms, women are paving the way for future generations in the workplace.

So, whether you're a woman entering this new phase of life, or you're part of a work team supporting a menopausal colleague, remember this - menopause isn’t a dirty word, and it certainly isn’t a weakness. It’s a sign of strength, resilience, and the enduring power of women.