New menopause policy could help women working at Torfaen council

Flexible working, more comfortable clothing and changes to office temperature could be considered to help employees with severe menopausal symptoms.

It is thought that Torfaen could be the first council in Gwent to have a policy dedicated to menopause-related issues, though other authorities have guidance in place to help managers.

The 2,971 women employed by Torfaen council make up 73 per cent of its workforce, and more than 60 per cent of employees are within the age range that the menopause typically occurs.

In the UK the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51, though one in every 100 women will experience the menopause before the age of 40.

A council report says there is limited awareness of the symptoms that women can suffer during the menopause, and that an unsupportive work environment can exacerbate these problems.

“The menopause has traditionally been seen as a private matter or ‘a women’s issue’ and is often not a topic which is discussed openly, or which has been taken into account in the design of workplaces and working practices,” says the report.

“As a consequence, employers, including this council, have been slow to recognise the menopause as an issue, and that those going through the menopause might need additional consideration or adjustments.”

A survey of around 4,000 female employees by The Wales TUC found that 88 per cent of workers who have experienced the menopause felt it influenced working life.

Furthermore, around six in 10 people had witnessed the issue being treated as a joke topic in their place of work.

Spokespeople for Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire councils say existing policies offer full support to staff experiencing the menopause.

Monmouthshire council is also aiming to develop an informal support group and network for staff who are affected by the menopause.

Newport council did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.