GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

Conference recognises that many of our sisters work in safety critical roles, yet

rarely do employers take this into consideration, nor do they have a

menopause policy.

Conference therefore agrees to drive a programme through our affiliates to

deliver menopause policies that will benefit all women workers whilst engaging

employers in facing up to their responsibilities.

She said: Chair, conference, good morning. Keeley Lipscombe speaking on

behalf of TSSA. I will apologise, I do not have quite the same fanfare as

Manuel who is currently absent today, so I will do my best. Comrades, half of

all the workforce in the UK is female and this means that at some stage they

will go through the menopause. The taboo around the subject is just being

broken thanks to ladies such as Louise Minchin, if you have seen her talks on

the news recently, they have been amazing. With so many being affected,

why are us ladies suffering in silence and what needs to change for us? The

reluctance for most women to speak out and discuss their symptoms is

understandable, but it need not be an awkward topic. We need to help

normalise this topic and have within our workplaces a policy to support those

going through this transition period. The menopause can happen to women at

any point from my age in their 30s right up into their 60s. There is no

demographic for when this can strike you and the average period for this can

be anything between four to eight years. Can you imagine that significant

period of time with no support, no help and no understanding from your

workplace, from your colleagues and the impact that will have on your family

life too? The symptoms can vary greatly and not all will be affected the same,

but most common being hot flushes, heart palpitations, high stress levels, lack

of concentration and also lack of patience with work colleagues, customers and

your family. This places women’s jobs in jeopardy due to poor performance

and disciplinary action being taken, by how this is affecting their behaviour.

I am asking you today to support our motion to start implementing a workplace

policy with all employers which will provide better training for managers in

understanding the condition and how best to support their staff, an open forum

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