Menopause expert wants to break 'taboo' surrounding topic

A local menopause expert is calling on the government and employers to do more.

Jo Posey - who lives locally wants to see the Island devote adequate resources to ensure employees going through the menopause have support.

It follows a question by Garff MHK Daphne Caine in the House of Keys last month - she asked what support is available for staff experiecing menopause symptoms. 

According to Jo's research - approximately 20% of women in menopause experience debilitating symptoms and in the UK nearly 1m women have left work principally due to menopause symptoms.

This is due to a a lack of support, awareness & empathy in the workplace, alongside outright derision & a perception they would be viewed negatively.

Jo says this is "a huge, unnecessary & costly loss of talent, experience & expertise that is ill-afforded in an ageing population with negligible unemployment."

Currently under the Equality Act 2017, failure to understand the symptoms of menopause and make appropriate & reasonable accommodations either as employer or line manager, may open employers to claims of discrimination based on sex, age or disability.

Jo wants to break the 'taboo' surrounding the topic: