How do employers respond to the menopause?

In general, not very sympathetically. The health needs of older women receive very little attention at work. The TUC survey of safety reps found that:

• managers did not recognise problems associated with the menopause;
• managers tended to criticise sick leave related to menopausal symptoms;
• discussing the menopause with managers was embarrassing or difficult; and,
• at worst, some managers ridiculed discussion on the issue.