Many Usdaw reps are supporting members who are struggling with menopause symptoms at work. This campaign aims to help reps understand more about the menopause, how it affects women at work and what steps can be taken to make a difference to members in this situation.
Further information and resources are available at:
www.usdaw.org.uk/menopause
Usdaw is clear that the menopause is an occupational health issue. For the majority of women the menopause will have an impact on their physical and mental well-being and the workplace can make these symptoms worse.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Women make up more than half of Usdaw’s members and activists and over half of the UK workforce. All of these women will inevitably experience the menopause at some point in their lives, and not necessarily in their late forties or early fifties.
“The menopause can affect younger women too and transgender and non-binary people. It’s far from a minority issue. Statistics show that around 1 in every 3 women has either experienced or is currently going through the menopause, with the majority experiencing noticeable symptoms. Of these, almost half experience symptoms they find hard to deal with and cause them difficulties both in and out of work.
“Despite a growing recognition among employers and policy makers of the menopause as a workplace health and safety issue, too few women are receiving the right support at work. Usdaw has developed this workplace campaign to enable more women to recognise and feel able to discuss their menopause symptoms in the workplace and equip reps with the tools they need to open up conversations about the menopause at work.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
‘Me, work and the menopause’ campaign: www.usdaw.org.uk/menopause
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion