How to become a menopause ally at work

Menopause is still a taboo topic for many in the workplace, despite the negative impacts it can have on women’s health and wellbeing. Determined to help those struggling with menopause at work, this , Pamela Kinloch, 45, Payroll Manager at The Glenmorangie Company, opens up about her own experience of this natural stage of life. Find out how she and her menopause allies are helping to change the working lives of their colleagues, female and male. 

Q. What is your experience of menopause and how has it affected your work at The Glenmorangie Company?

I started experiencing menopause symptoms including anxiety, depression, insomnia, tinnitus and brain fog, during the pandemic. The lack of sleep, combined with poor concentration and high anxiety impaired my ability to function and were affecting my work. At the time, I didn’t realise it was the perimenopause. I just thought it was because of Covid lockdowns. That’s one of the aspects I want to help solve – educating people about the symptoms.  

Q. What was your employer able to do to help you through the menopause?

I found it easier to concentrate in the office, so my line manager helped facilitate office working for me, even during the pandemic when most people were working from home. The Company offered flexible working: different days in the office, days at home, working flexible hours on some days after a poor night’s sleep. I have also attended menopause conferences to understand the effects on both me personally and how I can support others in the business.

 Q. How is the Company now supporting women going through menopause?

We’ve recently become a Menopause Friendly committed employer. We have a menopause policy, and we are creating a dedicated section on our intranet with menopause literature for both men and women. Menopause doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it. For instance, if you’re up all night, your partner is probably not sleeping either. We want to help people both at work and at home know how to support. To help people understand more about the menopause, we will be providing symptom lists in bathrooms and locker rooms.

Rather than hot-desking, we’ll be inviting people to book a cool, quiet desk instead (somewhere with a fan, without interruptions).

In June, we’re running a programme for 12 people to become menopause allies. A great ally is one who is informed and is continually updating their knowledge. After that, we’re hoping to put some more tangible plans in place, such as supporting employees who wear a uniform a part of their roles at our production sites. We have to think about whether it is too hot, or too tight. We also need to ensure that all sites have the right facilities and products for women should they need them.

Q. Why do you think it’s so important for the Company to support staff through menopause?

It is said that one in 10 women give up work because they’re experiencing menopause symptoms. I can understand why. Some days you can't even contemplate hanging up the washing, let alone doing your job. In payroll, I was calculating furlough, responsible for submitting claims to HMRC, paying people's wages – and sometimes felt I couldn’t cope.

Everyone experiences menopause differently. For one woman it may just be hot flushes. Another might be severely anxious and depressed. We have to support all women with their health and wellbeing so they can thrive at work.

Q. People still find menopause a difficult topic to talk about, don’t they?

It can be tricky. There was a time when I couldn't talk about it without crying. Of course, the more people talk about menopause, the less taboo it will become, so I try to talk about it often to raise awareness.

Quite a few people have had a lightbulb moment while we’ve been talking. Someone in her sixties who suddenly realised that menopause was probably the reason for her insomnia. While I also have a male colleague who wants to understand the menopause more as he believes his wife is struggling and wants to support her.

Q. Are there any unique challenges for women experiencing menopause in the whisky industry?

We now have a growing number of female Production Associates at our bottling site and, across our Glenmorangie Distillery and Ardbeg Distillery sites and doubtless more in the future. So, we need to think about how we can make menopause-friendly workplace adjustments in these environments. 

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Five things you need to know about menopause

The menopause

Menopause is when a woman’s periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, according to the NHS.

Perimenopause

Going through perimenopause means women have symptoms before their periods stop.

Menopause symptoms

Menopausal women can experience a wide range of symptoms, from hot flushes to anxiety. They may last for years and can change over time. You can find a list of menopause symptoms here.

How to become a Menopause Friendly employer

There are several steps to becoming accredited as a Menopause Friendly employer. Find out more here.

How to find support about menopause

For more guidance on menopause and for support go to Menopause Matters