Nellsar Care Homes is looking to create a more inclusive environment following its efforts to mark World Menopause Day in October.
The family-run provider, which operates 13 homes across Kent, Surrey, and Essex, has carried out a survey among its staff to ensure it creates a supportive community that can help educate both men and women about the complexities of the menopause.
The survey showed that 60 per cent of respondents wanted to learn more about the perimenopause and menopause and how symptoms can affect people, while 70 per cent of those going through the menopause said they have not mentioned how it is affecting them to management. The study also found that the number one request for support was access to uniforms with more breathable fabric — followed by having more information available.
The main symptoms reported among staff going through the menopause were hot flushes, reduced concentration, increased stress, and reduced confidence in ability. Nellsar is therefore looking to create a supportive framework to prioritise the wellbeing of its staff experiencing the menopause, as well as educating other staff members who are working alongside them.
Viv Stead, Recreation and Well-Being Manager at Nellsar, said: “It was great to get people talking on World Menopause Day and following on from that, we thought the best way to make a genuine difference to our amazing teams is to actually find out their opinions. So we conducted the survey and this has helped identify some great opportunities to further educate teams, and ultimately, dismantle any apprehensions or stigmas of what is a very natural thing for all women.
“Going through the menopause can be immensely challenging, and sometimes, work-life can become more difficult. I think it is the responsibility of employers to recognise these changes and be as versatile as possible. We want all of our teams to feel valued and supported and we look forward to making even more progress going forward.”
