So, women going through the menopause should be given special dispensation equating to a disability and reviewed for any agism bias. What? An employer must now acknowledge a woman’s menstrual cycle, must be supportive of a woman’s baby brain and now must be tolerant of menopause brain fog. Don’t get me wrong, of course an employer should be sympathetic of any employee having to cope with stresses, physical or otherwise, or being under the weather – for any reason.  Perhaps there should be a quiet room for anyone to be able to restore their mental capacity and maybe tampons and pads should be available in the bathrooms if required. Maybe, out of curtesy, everyone should be consulted about the office temperature so all are comfortable in the work place. 

But women have fought for years for equity and equality, not to be considered a special, delicate case.  Do all these female conditions provide a reason for poor behaviour or judgement.  Are the symptoms of menopause consistent, permanent and the same for all – no.  A woman might have a hot flush once, twice, even three times a day and possibly on and off all night for a few days but unlikely to be in that state forever and if they are there is medication that should be made available for all that need it, see a doctor.  The menopause might last between 8 – 10 years.  Surely, we wouldn’t expect an employer to make allowances for 10 years!

It raises the question what excuse do men have for bad behaviour and wrong judgements in the workplace?  Should Sir Lindsay Hoyle be prescribed HRT to prevent the chaos that took place in the Commons, Houses of Parliament or maybe the temperature just needed to be lowered.So, women going through the menopause should be given special dispensation equating to a disability and reviewed for any agism bias. What? An employer must now acknowledge a woman’s menstrual cycle, must be supportive of a woman’s baby brain and now must be tolerant of menopause brain fog. Don’t get me wrong, of course an employer should be sympathetic of any employee having to cope with stresses, physical or otherwise, or being under the weather – for any reason.  Perhaps there should be a quiet room for anyone to be able to restore their mental capacity and maybe tampons and pads should be available in the bathrooms if required. Maybe, out of curtesy, everyone should be consulted about the office temperature so all are comfortable in the work place. 

But women have fought for years for equity and equality, not to be considered a special, delicate case.  Do all these female conditions provide a reason for poor behaviour or judgement.  Are the symptoms of menopause consistent, permanent and the same for all – no.  A woman might have a hot flush once, twice, even three times a day and possibly on and off all night for a few days but unlikely to be in that state forever and if they are there is medication that should be made available for all that need it, see a doctor.  The menopause might last between 8 – 10 years.  Surely, we wouldn’t expect an employer to make allowances for 10 years!

It raises the question what excuse do men have for bad behaviour and wrong judgements in the workplace?  Should Sir Lindsay Hoyle be prescribed HRT to prevent the chaos that took place in the Commons, Houses of Parliament or maybe the temperature just needed to be lowered.