Myerscough College sign Menopause Workplace Pledge

Women make up nearly half of the UK workforce, but around 900,000 have quit their jobs because of the menopause.

People often struggle with their menopause symptoms in the workplace. By signing the Menopause Workplace Pledge, Myerscough will make sure they take positive action to make sure staff going through the menopause is supported.

Alison Robinson said: “At Myerscough College and University Centre, we truly care about the wellbeing of our colleagues, which is why we are delighted to sign up to the Wellbeing of Women’s Menopause Workplace Pledge.

‘’62% of our Myerscough staff are women and around half are in the peri-menopausal or menopausal age range. Women often struggle with their symptoms in the workplace and this is why it is so important to take positive action to make sure everyone going through the menopause is given the individual help they need.

‘’We have therefore committed to making our organisation a supportive and understanding place for employees going through the menopause. Our aim is to normalise discussion at work and provide the right information, guidance and practical support to those needing help to manage their own menopause journey.”

The College hopes that it can make a difference by signing up to the pledge. If people affected by menopause feel supported at work, it can help to increase staff retention, reduce recruitment costs, improve productivity, happiness and wellbeing, and ensure a more diverse workforce.

In signing the Menopause Workplace Pledge, the College has committed to:

• Recognising that the menopause can be an issue in the workplace and women need support

• Talking openly, positively and respectfully about the menopause

• Actively supporting and informing our employees affected by the menopause

The College is already recognised as a Leader in Diversity by the National Centre for Diversity. The Leaders in Diversity award is a structured and planned approach to embedding the FREDIE principles in the heart of an organisation: fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement. The College was additionally named as the 6th Most Inclusive Workplace in 2021 by the National Centre for Diversity.

Signing the Menopause Pledge builds on the fantastic work the College already does in supporting inclusion in the workplace. The College already has a Menopause Policy and Procedure and a workplace staff support group but wishes to add to this. A Menopause Working Group is being established to consider the College’s next steps and an action plan will be put in place. This will include raising awareness and understanding of the menopause; leader and manager training; building a psychologically safe environment; and guidance and practical support.

Lisa Hartley, Director of Student Support & Welfare and the College lead on equality matters, adds: ‘’Talking about menopause is one of our last taboos. Research suggests that talking about menopause helps to ease symptoms, although this is only just the starting point for support. We hope that by opening up these conversations in our workplace in a positive way we can support everyone.

‘’It is not just women who may be impacted by menopause but everyone who lives and works with women who experience unpleasant side effects from the menopause. Building awareness, openness and support around the menopause and providing help could transform the working lives of women and this is our goal.”

Find out more about the scheme here