WORLD MENOPAUSE DAY KEEPING THE CONVERSATION GOING Successful event, sponsored by Metfriendly, sparks honest
discussion on challenges and actionable steps to foster understanding and support in the workplace
More than 1000 delegates signed up for the Police Federation of England and Wales’ Mental Health in Menopause webinar which explored the profound impact of menopause on women’s mental health, workplace experience, and career progression. PFEW Women’s Health Lead Hayley Aley and PFEW Acting National Chair Tiff Lynch were joined by Helen Tomlinson, who was the UK Government’s first- ever Menopause Employment Champion, and Oscar Kilo Service Director Andy Rhodes OBE QPM to discuss this critical stage in life on World Menopause Day [18 October 2024].
leaving their job, while 56 per cent said they were now less likely to consider promotion or progression opportunities as compared to before they began to
“With the right support, there is
absolutely no reason for anyone to step down or step back because it is just a transition and period.”
Presenting key findings from the 2023 Menopause Survey, Hayley outlined how one in three respondents have considered
10 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2024
experience symptoms of the menopause. The survey was a joint project conducted by researchers at PFEW, and on behalf of the organisation, Unison, the Police Superintendents’ Association, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.
Helen acknowledged how challenging it must be for police officers and staff who have a lack of autonomy because of the reactive nature of the role. She said: “I imagine if I was in a role with the police where my cognitive ability can mean life or death for somebody. It is such a different situation.” She then shared her personal experience of when she went through perimenopause, referring to
the time during which the body makes the natural transition to menopause. “I became anxious, and I lost confidence. I have never felt like that before, and I started to think ‘I can’t do my job anymore; I need to step down’,” she explained. “This is why I called the Government strategy ‘No Time to Step Back’ because, with
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