HR Forum: Is Menopause Costing Your Business Money?

For many the menopause can be a taboo subject, but in this next HR Forum sponsored by Forbes Solicitors, we’ll discover why it’s critical that your business doesn’t just look the other way.

Just a small amount of education and awareness can have a huge impact on staff welfare, engagement and retention – and potentially reduce your risk at a tribunal.  We’ll explore good and bad practice and hear powerful testimony on why this issue should be on every employer’s agenda.
 

• Paula Gill, Managing Director at Business Information Group Ltd, will share with us a very personal account of how the menopause impacted on her physically, mentally and emotionally – and how it also impacted around those around her, at home and at work;
• Bev Thorogood, Menopause Specialist Trainer at Floresco Training Ltd will focus on how women over 50 are the fastest growing sector, with 80% of menopausal women in work; they are likely to work beyond their menopause transition, and well into their late 60's and 70's.  Potential changes to employment law, as well as the financial implications of valuable female talent exiting the workforce prematurely, mean businesses need to be acknowledging the impact of menopause and pro-actively raising awareness and providing support.  Breaking the taboo, by encouraging an open and inclusive culture, will ensure that those struggling with symptoms feel able to ask for the support they need without fear of being disadvantaged.
• Lee Chambers, Psychologist, Wellbeing Consultant and Founder at Essentialise, will explain why the menopause is not just for women of a certain age.  Menopause is rarely spoken about in the workplace and in society as a whole. But with the menopause guaranteed to directly impact 51% of the population, and indirectly impact every single human on the planet, he believes a collective approach is needed.  And in the workplace, there is a compelling case for everyone to be part of normalising the conversation, building awareness and implementing education;
• Emma Swan, Partner & Head of Commercial Employment at Forbes Solicitors, will take us through the employment law implications of the menopause that will include a discussion of protection under the Equality Act 2010 by considering whether the menopause amounts to a ‘disability’ under the act and by examining recent Employment Tribunal cases where claimants were going through the menopause and it led to issues at work. She will also look at the obligations on employers to support employees.

This is a fully inclusive event aimed at everyone: all ages, all genders, people managers, HR professionals, team leaders, teams, etc. Breakfast options will be provided. We anticipate large numbers so register now to secure your place.

Click here for more information.