The Midlife Nurse

With all the press coverage for menopause to be recognised in the workplace, what are YOU doing about it? Do you have symptoms that you are afraid to discuss openly? Are you taking time off because of symptoms like migraines, anxiety, stress or the more physical manifestations of peri menopause?

Are you struggling to manage tasks or staff that you previously had no issues with?

Our ability to juggle, think clearly and remember important information weakens during this time and with the average peri menopausal woman experiencing symptoms for potentially more than ten years, it becomes a huge factor not only for professional standards, but it promotes a less than positive personal experience .

In the NHS around 77% of women make up the entire task force. That’s a huge factor to consider when questioning reduced productivity. This needs properly managing to get the best outcomes for women as individuals and as employees, so that businesses and services function efficiently.

Ultimately though employers cannot mind read nor do they have time to address every woman individually. It’s up to us!!! We need to grab our inner power and brave out that chat. So many women (like me 😁) have lost the ability to care about what people think anymore. It’s all about me. What are my needs? My desires? What makes me tick now that my hormones are depleting at an immeasurable rate?

I want to be viewed as competent, accomplished and achieving. For my own gain and personal development and in order for my employer to be willing and able to accommodate me. But to do that I have to “woman up” and say to my bosses this is how I feel and what impact my symptoms and other health concerns are having on me and my ability to function effectively in the workplace.

I don’t subscribe to blaming employers and peers for not understanding my personal journey. Why should they? I have the responsibility to speak up, educate and to come armed with a solution that suits both me and those who are paying me to rock up everyday.

So pull your big girl pants up and adopt that “you got this” middle aged powerful female attitude and go tell them what you need from them, and how they will benefit from the support that you require, and go be the formidable chick who can take over the world ❤️