The menopause generally happens between age 45 and 55, but for some people it can be later or earlier. In the UK, menopausal women and people who have a menstrual cycle aged 45-55, are the fastest-growing demographic in the workplace. A snapshot of Queen Mary’s workforce for the academic year 2021/2022, showed staff who identify as women made up 53% of our workforce. 17% of these women fall into the general menopause 45-55 age bracket. It is important to recognise that menopause symptoms are not felt exclusively by women and so our data may not be truly reflective of our workforce.    

Over the past few years' conversations and work on the menopause has started in pockets across the University but it is still not openly talked about as much as it should be. This is not surprising as symptoms are personal which some may find embarrassing and there remains a taboo about discussing this subject publicly. To ensure that we are meeting our People, Culture and Inclusion mission to create a truly inclusive environment, it is important that menopause awareness raising, sustaining the conversation within our community and supporting staff at work through their menopause transition, becomes an everyday part of our people management and culture.

This year we are using Menopause Month and International Menopause Day to continue to raise awareness about the menopause amongst our whole community. In raising awareness, it is hoped that this will: 

• encourage more conversations around the menopause; 
• enable allyship amongst our community for those who are and will experience menopause symptoms; 
• empower staff to discuss their situations with their managers;
• equip managers with knowledge and understanding of how to support their staff through this natural transition to ensure all staff thrive in their role and remain in work despite any menopausal challenges;
• Provide an opportunity for everyone in our community to learn more about the menopause to enable awareness and to be able to support colleagues and family members.

Our community is at the heart of everything that we do. Supporting staff through their menopause transition as a community, within our management practices and by highlighting support available is key to ensuring that we can meet our mission of creating a truly inclusive environment. 

Webinar workshops

During the month of October, we are hosting webinars for our community to find out more about the menopause. You will need to book your place for the webinar which you are interested in attending. You can book your place by visiting: https://esdcourses.qmul.ac.uk. The webinars will be held on Teams and Zoom.  Once you have booked onto a course you will be sent the joining information a few days before the webinar.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions after the presentations or alternatively staff can send questions in advance to: menopause@qmul.ac.uk.

Any questions sent in advance should state the workshop webinar for which they are intended.

Information about menopause will continued to be added to the site beyond the month of October.