In recognition of World Menopause Day on 18 October, TransUnion UK, a global information and insights company and one of the UK’s leading credit reference agencies, has pledged to build on its existing broad support offering for people going through the menopause, by becoming a Menopause Friendly Committed Employer.
According to Menopause Friendly, 18% of the workforce is menopausal and 35% have had to take time off work to manage their symptoms, affecting productivity and self-esteem. Furthermore, one in four people going through menopause considers quitting work due to the severity of their symptoms, while one in 10 actually resign, as they can see no other way to cope with what they’re going through. This trend sees employees with experience and institutional memory leaving the workplace, despite having significant value to add and benefit to gain from being part of the active workforce.
“Menopause isn’t taboo, it’s a perfectly normal process that’s unique to every individual. It’s important to know the signs and coping strategies so that we can help one another,” said Kaushik Gopalan, chief human resources officer for TransUnion UK. “Many of our colleagues are working through menopause or supporting someone who is on that journey, whether it’s a friend, family member or a team member at work. Everyone knows someone who may need a little more support during this time, which is why we’ve established a number of groups and resources to help those on the journey, and to show our colleagues how they can help those that are close to them.
TransUnion UK offers a range of support tools including its helpful guide, ‘Being you at TU: The Menopause’, which is easily accessible to all colleagues. The guide provides insights on symptoms, coping strategies and how to access support, and also provides frameworks for leaders and how they can best support someone who is on the menopause journey. Additionally, TransUnion colleagues in Europe have access to a short e-learning series that covers menopause basics, HRT and alternative therapies.
The business’s support for people going through menopause extends well beyond reading matter and coursework – a team of Menopause Champions is available to colleagues across the business. Including male and female employees, Menopause Champions can guide those seeking support to the most relevant resource, along with being available to advise leaders on where and how to find the most appropriate support for their team members. The business’s team of Mental Health First Aiders offer an additional support resource too.
The company’s Leeds office features a ‘cool’ room, where those experiencing hot flushes can go to manage their symptoms. Employees and leaders are also warmly encouraged to seek and implement other reasonable supportive adjustments, such as making it possible for someone to sit near a window to benefit from a cool draft, or to work flexible hours to allow for changed sleep patterns.
TransUnion UK offers a wealth of other resources to support people going through menopause, including a downloadable symptoms diary and other comprehensive knowledge and planning resources.
