Menopause in the workplace

Overview

We are asking Chief Nurses and HR Directors to complete this questionnaire so NHS England and NHS Improvement can understand the current levels of workplace support from NHS organisations for colleagues experiencing menopause.

The menopause is a natural physiological event that happens to all women. Menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the workplace. According to the faculty of occupational medicine, almost 8 out of 10 menopausal people are in work.

The menopause is a natural time of ageing and in the UK the average age is 51 years. But, around 1 in 100 people usually experience the menopause before the age of 40 years.

The ‘peri-menopause’ is the phase leading up to the menopause when a woman’s hormone balance starts to change. For some people, this can start as early as their twenties or as late as their late forties.

It is estimated that there are around 13 million people who are currently peri or menopausal in the UK (Wellbeing of Women) which is equivalent to a third of the entire UK female population.

The menopause can cause a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms that can last for several years. Most menopausal people experience symptoms to varying degrees and can last for several years.

Note, the questions on this survey are designed to be non-identifiable to individuals, please refrain from providing any personally identifiable information within your responses. 

What happens next

Thank you for completing this questionnaire.