Small changes can make a big difference in the workplace. Becoming a menopause-positive employer doesn’t have to be stressful, expensive or time consuming. This short guide will support you and your organisation to make changes that are meaningful but manageable.

There are five key areas to consider:

1. Listen to what staff need

• Create ways for staff to tell you what support they need for their menopause symptoms. This could be in one-to-one meetings or anonymous surveys.
• Make sure you report your findings back to your staff and make a clear promise on what your next steps or changes will be.
• Give your organisation regular updates on the changes you are implementing.

2. Encourage open conversations across the organisation

• Make time to have conversations about menopause as a whole organisation and within smaller groups, teams and one-to-ones.
• Encourage all staff, especially line managers, to take our free Menopause Awareness Workplace Training
• Share our ‘ How to talk about your menopause at work’ guide and 'Supporting colleagues' guide across your organisation.
• Use menopause as a gateway to wider women’s health conversations. If people raise about other issues or topics, be open to it and offer support where appropriate.

3. Provide adequate adjustments, policies and support for staff experiencing the menopause.

• There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to supporting staff effectively.
• Think about what your staff need and what is manageable and sustainable for your organisation to provide.
• Make sure menopause is directly addressed in your policies and wellbeing support packages.
• If you need further guidance on how to support women’s health at work across the life course we can help through our own Employer Membership Programme. We provide members with a variety of support including; policy templates and how to approach conversations, from menopause and menstrual health to pregnancy and fertility. Email us now emp@wellbeingofwomen.org.uk

4. Raise awareness of menopause both within your workplace and across your networks

• You can use the social media and email templates in your toolkit to do this.
• Encourage all staff, especially line managers, to take our free Menopause Awareness Workplace Training
• Set up a Menopause Network and appoint a Menopause Champion

5. Make information about the menopause widely available across the organisation.

• To help you get started we have provided some information in the Menopause Workplace Pledge Toolkit.
• Make sure any information and advice you share is from a reputable source.