Council votes to make Redbridge a Menopause Friendly Borough

At a Full Council meeting on Thursday, 23 March, councillors voted unanimously to pass a motion committing Redbridge Council to become a Menopause Friendly Employer, supporting women experiencing menopause symptoms and advocating for greater government support and training for health professionals. 

British United Provident Association (BUPA) research estimates that nearly one million women have been forced out of work due to menopausal symptoms or lack of awareness and workplace support.

The motion, proposed by Cllr Judith Garfield and seconded by Cllr Beverley Brewer, highlighted that Redbridge Council has progressed in supporting staff experiencing the menopause but can strengthen its support by:

• Providing a confidential point of contact to offer support and advice regarding the menopause
• Signing the Wellbeing of Women employer’s pledge as a Menopause Friendly Employer
• Annually reviewing the Managing Menopause at Work policy to ensure best practice
• Raising awareness through Menopause Awareness Day.

The motion also calls on the government to follow Redbridge Council’s lead by providing clear guidance, training and raising awareness of the impact of menopause in the workplace. In addition, it asks to support flexible working and implementing menopause training across public health professions and the NHS.

Last year, Redbridge Council launched the Managing Menopause in the Workplace Policy to tackle the issues women may encounter and to create an inclusive, supportive, and understanding working environment. 

The policy offers flexibility, practical support, advice, and clarity on the key stages of menopause, terminology, and the various types of menopausal symptoms. It gives staff and their managers a better understanding of the challenges many women may face and the tools to seek help and provide advice. In addition, all staff undergo mandatory Menopause awareness training.

Menopause is the ceasing of menstruation and is usually identified as having occurred when menstruation has stopped for 12 months or more. 

Although menopause typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, 1 in 100 women in the UK experience menopause before the age of 40. The perimenopause can occur years before periods cease, and symptoms can last for years after menstruation has stopped.

It is also important to note that trans, intersex and non-binary people can also experience menopause and/or menopausal symptoms.