ACAS has published new guidance to help employers and managers support staff who are affected by menopause symptoms at work.
The menopause can be a sensitive issue and many women do not feel comfortable discussing their symptoms at work.
The new guidance includes suggestions that employers create an open culture within the business and make changes where possible such as altering working hours and providing desk fans.
It goes without saying that where employers create an open culture, employees may feel more confident about approaching their manager to discuss symptoms and managers may feel more comfortable offering adjustments or solutions.
If a worker is mismanaged because of their menopause symptoms, there may be the risk of sex discrimination and/or disability discrimination and/or age discrimination, so the implementation of a policy to support managers navigate this area may prove useful.
We recommend that businesses create and implement menopause policies and provide awareness training to managers to deal with any concerns in a sensitive way.
If you do require any further advice on this issue or any other employment law concern, please contact our Rebecca Ellerbeck at Rowberrys on 01344 466353.