Care sector – advice and information
Providing compassionate and essential services, the care industry plays a vital role in supporting individuals’ wellbeing.
Yet, the unique demands of caregiving can make addressing menopause-related issues even more crucial.
Whether you’re a small self-employed caregiver or a manager overseeing a care facility, you’ll find insights, resources, and practical support for workers here. These are designed to empower employers in creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace.
Empowering Workplaces: Menopause support in the care sector
Lucie Sweeney, Wellbeing Manager at Kids Planet Day Nurseries, talks about how they support staff affected by menopause in demanding care roles.
Navigating Menopause: Insights from Cygnet Health Care
Vicky McNally shares insights into the specific challenges faced by Cygnet’s predominantly female workforce and the innovative strategies they have implemented to support employees through menopause.
Top tips
- Adapt uniforms for workers to improve comfort – consider the material, colour and sizing.
- Make it easy to request extra uniforms if needed.
- Discuss possible adjustments to tasks and duties that are proving a challenge.
- Consider the opportunity to split or swap shifts on a temporary basis.
- Limit the time wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks.
- Provide easy access to cold drinking water and washrooms.
- Make sanitary products available in washrooms.
- Allow regular breaks and opportunities to take medication.
- Provide access to a rest room.
- Encourage employees to discuss concerns at one-to-one meetings with their manager or supervisor and/or HR or occupational health.
- Don’t make assumptions – everyone is different, so take your lead from the individual.
- Recognise someone may need to take short-term absence if they have difficult symptoms.
- Approach performance conversations supportively and positively.
- Take any health issues fully into account where there is underperformance on the part of an individual.
- Signpost to an employee assistance programme or counselling services if available.
- Provide information at work to raise awareness and support around menopause, for example through posters and leaflets, in staff areas