Menopause and work : An overview of UK guidance

Hardy, Claire and Hunter, Myra S. and Griffiths, Amanda (2018) Menopause and work : An overview of UK guidance. Occupational Medicine, 68 (9). 580–586. ISSN 0962-7480

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Abstract

Background: Recent evidence suggests that some women experience menopausal symptoms that impact on their working lives, and that work environments can impact upon the experience of menopause. As a result, guidance for employers and other key stakeholders about this potential occupational health issue has emerged. To date there has not been a review of these documents to identify their main recommendations for policy and practice. Aims: To provide a narrative overview of such guidance and summary of content. Methods: Documents published in the United Kingdom and available in a major UK trade union library were searched systematically to identify guidance on the topic of menopause and work. An inductive thematic analysis was performed to identify the main themes addressed. Results: 25 relevant documents, on average eight pages long, were identified. A minority indicated that the use of scientific evidence informed the content. Five overarching themes were identified: 1) legislation; 2) policy; 3) information and training needs; 4) workplace support; and 5) the physical work environment. Conclusions: This overview of UK guidance revealed common areas of concern about reducing and managing difficulties experienced by working menopausal women. Possible areas for action were identified. Some recommendations were common across much of the guidance, whereas others were exclusive. Future guidance might include consideration of all these issues, while making reference both to the evidence base and sources of further information.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Occupational Medicine
Additional Information:
This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Occupational Medicine following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Hardy, C Hunter, M.S., Griffiths, A Menopause and work: an overview of UK guidance Occupational Medicine 2018 68: 580–586 is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/68/9/580/5244620
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739
Subjects:
?? public health, environmental and occupational health ??
ID Code:
127544
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
24 Sep 2018 15:10
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Feb 2024 00:47