UNISON has relaunched its “gold standard” menopause policy for staff, setting an important precedent for how workplace environments should accommodate menopausal employees.
Menopause affects a significant proportion of the workforce. This relaunch reflects the union’s commitment to ensuring that it is treated as a key health and safety issue in the workplace, providing guidance that all public sector employers should follow.
UNISON has a wealth of resources, including a template menopause policy that activists can use as a powerful tool when advocating for similar protections and accommodations within their workplaces.
By treating menopause as a core bargaining issue, activists can secure meaningful changes that address the specific needs of menopausal workers, leading to a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment.
Organising around menopause policies can be a catalyst for broader workplace improvements too. Campaigns that highlight the importance of menopause accommodations can unite workers around a common cause, emphasising the need for gender-sensitive policies and health and safety provisions.
Menopause is not just a personal issue – it is a workplace issue. It impacts productivity, retention, and employee wellbeing. By pushing for similar policies with their own employers, activists can make meaningful progress in improving the working lives of many workers, ensuring that menopause is recognised as an integral part of workplace health and safety.
