Menopause Awareness for Managers

What you will be able to do

• explain what perimenopause and menopause are, who they can affect and how symptoms can affect work.
• describe, in general terms, how equality, health and safety, flexible working and data protection law apply to menopause at work.
• build a team culture where people feel able to raise menopause, and step in on unhelpful banter.
• prepare for, hold and follow up a supportive, confidential conversation.
• agree, record and review practical adjustments that fit the person and their role.
• handle absence and performance fairly when menopause may be a factor.
• draft a starter menopause policy ready for consultation.

1. 1Menopause basics every manager needs

   Learn what perimenopause and menopause are, who they affect, and how symptoms can show up at work, so you can respond with knowledge rather than guesswork.

   • What perimenopause and menopause are
   • How symptoms can affect work
   • Why it matters, and myths to leave behind

   Menopause-ready manager checklist

2. 2The law and good practice in plain English

   Understand, in general terms, how Irish equality, health and safety, flexible and remote working, and data protection law apply to menopause at work, and when to ask HR.

   • The Employment Equality Acts, in general terms
   • Health and safety and wellbeing duties
   • Flexible working, absence, performance and privacy

   Menopause-ready manager checklist

3. 3Building a supportive team culture

   Make menopause something people can mention without embarrassment, deal with banter and harassment, and make sure support reaches everyone.

   • Breaking the silence
   • Banter, harassment and how to step in
   • Making support work for everyone

   Menopause-ready manager checklist

4. 4The supportive conversation

   Prepare for, hold and follow up a confidential conversation about menopause and work, whether the team member raises it or you notice a change.

   • Preparing for the conversation
   • Holding the conversation
   • After the conversation, and tricky situations

   Menopause conversation guide for managers

5. 5Practical adjustments that work

   Choose, agree and review adjustments that match the person's symptoms and role, including in frontline and shift work.

   • Matching adjustments to symptoms
   • Making adjustments happen
   • Frontline, shift and customer-facing roles

   Workplace adjustments list for managers

6. 6Policy, training and keeping it going

   Use the policy starter template to shape a clear menopause policy, build awareness across the organisation, and keep support working over time.

   • Why a menopause policy helps
   • Drafting your policy with the template
   • Keeping it going, and looking after yourself

   Menopause policy starter templateMenopause-ready manager checklist

• CheckerMenopause-ready manager checklistTick what you already have in place as a manager, see your score, and pick the gaps to close first so your team can get menopause support when they need it.
• CardsMenopause conversation guide for managersPrintable prompt cards to help you prepare for, hold and follow up a supportive conversation with a team member about menopause and work.
• ListWorkplace adjustments list for managersA practical list of low-cost adjustments, grouped by symptom and type of work, to use with a team member when agreeing what support to try.
• TemplateMenopause policy starter templateDraft a clear, practical starter menopause policy for your organisation, ready to review with HR, staff, unions or employee representatives.