by HRHQ Editorial Team
Today is World Menopause Day, and a poll of over 1,100 women members of the Unite union in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland who responded to a range of questions found that 43% of women have had to take time off work due to issues relating to menstrual health or the menopause
Irish Secretary of Unite, Susan Fitzgerald, said it is absolutly scandalous that women should be burdened by the lack of proper workplace policies on the menopause and menstrual health.
“Such policies are critical to ensuring real equality in the workplace,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“Employers must make reasonable accommodation, including paid time off where necessary, for workers experiencing menstruation and the menopause.”
“Robust workplace menstrual health policies would be a win for workers,” she added.
The research shows that 60% of women did not feel comfortable discussing menstrual health issues and 95% of respondents said they would welcome workplace menstrual health policies, while 28% of respondents had suffered financial impact from taking time off due to menopause or menstruation issues.
A number of high-profile employers in Ireland have announced the adoption of policies relating to menopause over the past year, including Vodafone, An Garda Síochána and Bank of Ireland.
