It's only a hot flush..!
Every women who lives long enough will go through the menopause, and three out of four women will experience hot flushes.
What is a hot flush?
A hot flush is probably one of the most recognisable symptoms of menopause and one which is particularly difficult to hide especially in the workplace.
The medical profession does not necessarily know exactly what causes hot flushes (known as a vasomotor symptom) but as with most symptoms of the menopause, it can be attributed to falling levels of estrogen.
Women describe a hot flush as in intense heat which seeps through the body and over which they have no control. You may have seen women sitting in meetings fanning themselves with whatever is to hand - some women even carry around their own portable fans.
How do hot flushes affect women in the workplace?
So, what happens when a hot flush strikes in an important meeting? It can signal embarrassment, thoughts of unprofessional behaviour and feeling dirty. Therefore, an individual will develop their own coping strategies such as isolating themselves and avoiding stressful situations. Many women will make a joke about it, but this is just another coping strategy as they do not want those around them to think they cannot cope.
How can employers support women experiencing hot flushes?
Workplaces can support women by:
Raising awareness, among the entire workforce, about the menopause and the impact of symptoms
Ensuring access to washing facilities and cold water
Providing appropriate break opportunities
Considering different materials for uniforms
Carrying out a workplace health and safety assessment
An open, inclusive and supportive workforce is by far the perfect, number one solution to helping support the entire workforce and ensuring valuable staff and skills are retained.
Women themselves could keep a diary to understand their own triggers, such as stressful situations and different food and drink - the most common being hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine.
Although arguments over the air conditioning, or windows being flung open despite it being the middle of winter, may seem like a cause for amusement or frustration, it’s certainly true that a little understanding and consideration will go a long way in supporting menopausal women at work.
It’s a fact that UK workforce is getting older, with a higher number of women in employment. This means more women than ever before are going through menopause at work.
Employers are responsible for the health, diversity and inclusion of all employees, and menopausal women and their colleagues need support as part of a holistic approach to employee wellbeing.