Menopause is a normal part of life for most women. But menopausal symptoms, such as such as hot flushes, fatigue and brain fog may affect women at home and at work.
Did you know:
The good news is that menopause is now recognised as an important workplace issue in Australia, and more employers are including menopausal health in workplace policies.
You can let your employer know about your situation and how you would like to be supported in the workplace.
Talk to your employer or manager if you have symptoms that make work difficult. Explain what your symptoms are and how they impact your work. You might also like to share some of the information from our website with your employer.
Ask your employer to make reasonable adjustments if needed. This may be flexible working hours or the ability to work from home if you need to manage fatigue. It may also include changing the temperature of your office or using a fan to help keep you cool if hot flushes are a problem.
Women are great advocates for one another in the workplace. If you feel up to it, offer to help develop policies that support menopause at work. Take part in training or induction programs that include information about menopause. Offer formal or informal support for others in your workplace who are going through menopause.
A healthy lifestyle can help you manage symptoms at work. For example:
If menopausal symptoms are stopping you from doing daily activities, talk to your doctor about treatment options. When you manage your symptoms, you’re more likely to cope better at work.
If you feel your manager is not supporting you through menopause, seek other support. You can talk to your organisation’s human resources staff or discuss the issue with advocacy bodies, such as trade unions or professional associations.
Remember:
Visit the Menopause at Work website for information and resources to help workplaces support women during the menopause transition.
Read our article about how one woman managed menopause in the workplace.
Check out our tips for managing menopause at work poster.
This content has been reviewed by a group of medical subject matter experts, in accordance with Jean Hailes policy.
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