18/10/2021
This years theme for World Menopause Day 2021, is Bone Health: see https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day for more details.
While there are examples of good practice in some workplaces, IOSH believes a concerted effort is required to support women to ensure they not only remain in their jobs but are able to flourish.
IOSH recommendations
The Institution, which represents more than 47,000 health and safety professionals around the world, recommends a number of measures, which include:
- considering whether existing policies and procedures cater for the psychosocial needs of menopause-related issues, for example whether they can introduce flexible working patterns;
- ensuring risk assessments consider specific risks to menopausal women and identify reasonable adjustments for individuals;
- developing awareness, training and education strategies that raise understanding of the menopause and associated symptoms, their impact on work and potential solutions;
- following the advice of health and safety professionals based on the outcomes of age and gender-sensitive health risk assessments, including potential changes in functional capacities; and
- developing more inclusive and supportive workplace cultures and managerial styles that make women feel comfortable disclosing symptoms or requesting adjustments to support them with symptoms.
