man in chef whites laughing with a women behind the bar

Top tips for managing menopause in the hospitality industry

Top tips for managing menopause in the hospitality industry

Carly Clark our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 05/10/2022

Did you know that a total of 8 in 10 people going through menopause are currently working? That’s more than ever before. Also, it’s predicted that around 900,000 individuals in the UK alone have made the decision to end their careers because of their struggles going through the transition. So why is it a topic that receives so little attention?

With so many people going through menopause, a lot of them in the hospitality industry, Mitchells & Butlers know how important it is to raise awareness and support our teams. We’ve signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge, and this year, in aid of World Menopause Day on the 18th of October, we want to take the opportunity to highlight some top tips for managing menopause when working in the hospitality industry.

Read on to find out more about our menopause support page, our partnership with Henpicked and how we, as a business and as managers, are supporting the people at M&B that are going through this stage in life.

How can you manage menopause in your hospitality job?

Menopause is a journey with some uncomfortable twists and turns. But it’s a normal and natural life stage. There is a lot of advice out there to help manage your symptoms at work, including:

  • Keep a diary - log your symptoms day to day to get a better idea of how they’re affecting you
  • Dress in layers - you can switch them up on a shift and make sure you’re feeling as comfortable as possible
  • Get enough sleep - sleep is the best medicine. The more rest you get at night, the better you’ll be able to manage your symptoms at work during the day
  • Exercise - this goes hand in hand with sleep. A good dose of exercise will improve your sleep, decrease stress and boost your energy levels
  • Use a notepad and pen - don’t be afraid to rely on taking notes to help with your memory recall
  • Take a minute - find a quiet place at work and come here if you’re hit with a wave of anxiety
  • Talk with your line manager - last but certainly not least, reach out and discuss how they can help you

And remember, all women go through menopause - you're not alone. Speak up when you feel overwhelmed so you get the support that you need.

Our partnership with Henpicked

According to Henpicked, 1 in 4 people experience serious symptoms. When they don’t get the support they need from their employer, many make the hard decision to hand in their notice, leaving the career they’ve spent their whole lives building. It’s one of the reasons why Henpicked wants to initiate supportive conversations. Their goal is to normalise the discussion of menopause at work, so no one feels they need to walk away from their career. With experience and knowledge that is second to none, their resources, videos and tips that can all be found on their Menopause Hub contain so much information that is free to access.

We’ve partnered with this charity because their menopause in the workplace experts provide line manager and colleague training, videos, eLearning, policy and communications expertise. With their guidance, we know we can offer our people the help they need.

Our menopause support page

At M&B, we’re actively working towards a more diverse workplace. We truly believe that with such a wide range of roles at 13 unique brands, there’s a place for everyone. We want to break the taboo, so we must talk openly about menopause. Our menopause support page is not only a space for our people to share their experiences, but it also informs the wider company so they can understand the impact that menopause can have on people.

And it doesn’t stop there. We’re actively upskilling our managers so they have the tools they need to support any team members going through the transition. We know how important this understanding is, both for the individual’s wellbeing and for retaining our people.

How can you support your coworkers through menopause?

Think about it this way - around 50% of the population will go through menopause at some point in their life. Supporting your team members all begins with education. Take the time to understand how individuals have been affected by menopause. Remember that everyone’s experience will have been different.

If your company isn’t speaking up on the topic, campaign for a better understanding, launch a policy and encourage them to hold workshops. By starting the conversation, we empower people going through menopause to speak more openly about their experiences. This is key if we want to help them through this natural process.

Educate yourself, talk about menopause and keep the conversion going!

Find out more about what it means to be a part of the M&B family

We know that many of our people will go through this natural stage of life during their time at M&B. Our goal is to help them in whatever way we can and ensure they have the support they need to continue doing the job they love, whether that’s working in our kitchens, serving our guests, or managing our teams.

If you’re keen to hear more about how we’re creating a more inclusive workplace, read what Area Manager Tom had to say about his experience working at M&B. Or, find out why the team at Harvester think diversity in the hospitality industry is so important.

List #1

Some articles you might like

rising star - general managers at M&B
Essential skills for becoming a successful General Manager at M&B

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/04/2024

Summary

Thinking about becoming a General Manager? Here’s what you’ll need to succeed The path to becoming a General Manager is as rewarding as it is challenging, but success doesn’t happen by chance.  I

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

General Manager of the year awards - three people smiling on stage
Celebrating M&B’s General Managers of the Year: Inspiring Stories of Growth and Success

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/04/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), our General Managers are the heartbeat of our business, driving excellence in hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences.  We believe in celebrating su

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

image of kayleigh
How a temporary Christmas job at M&B kickstarted Kayleigh’s career in hospitality

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/28/2024

Summary

Temporary Christmas jobs are a great way to earn extra cash for the holidays while gaining valuable work experience. They offer the chance to build new skills and try out roles like bar, waiting

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

two men and one woman working in a kitchen in their chef whites and smiling
Everything you need to know about being a Kitchen Manager at the different M&B brands

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/28/2024

Summary

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to lead a buzzing kitchen team, create memorable dining experiences, and make your mark in hospitality, you’re in the right place.  To give you a better ide

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Image of scottish hills and lake
Celebrating St Andrew’s Day: Job opportunities in Scotland

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/27/2024

Summary

As we approach St Andrew’s Day, it’s the perfect time to celebrate not only the rich culture and history of Scotland but also the opportunities available within Mitchells and Butlers.  What is St

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

image of hala
Home and away, the job that's here to stay: M&B’s university transfer scheme

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/27/2024

Summary

It’s that time of year again, university students are going back, freshers is in full swing, and so many students are moving across the country!  We know that having a pub job at uni is the best

Teaser

Find out more
Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

waiting staff greeting guests at M&B - customer service in hospitality
Crafting memorable moments: The importance of customer service at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/22/2024

Summary

In today's busy world of pubs and bars, it's not just about the drinks. What really sets a place apart is how well they treat their guests. At M&B, we believe that every interaction is an opportu

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

image of bar staff serving drinks with a smile
From serving to socialising: Why Bar jobs in London are a great choice

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/22/2024

Summary

So, you're thinking about a bar job in London? Let me tell you, it's not just a job – it's a lifestyle upgrade!  Picture this: every shift is a chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and ex

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

image of part-time staff holding drinks tray
Looking for a part-time job? Here’s everything you need to know to get started!

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/06/2024

Summary

What is a part-time job?A part-time job is pretty much what it sounds like—a role where you work fewer hours than a full-time position.  For anyone looking to earn some extra income, balance work

Teaser

Find out more
Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

Christian from Stonehouse
Can you go from Chef to General Manager? Yes, you can!

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/06/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees.  We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of th

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Part Time Team Member

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Bull's Head, Shenstone, WS14 0JR

Departments

Waiting Staff

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Shenstone

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  As a Part Time T

Reference

2349909

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary plus bonus

Location

Harvester - Aylesbury, Aylesbury, HP19 8BU

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Harvester

Location

Aylesbury

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Assistant Manag

Reference

2349912

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Toby Carvery - Newbury, Newbury, RG14 2AJ

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Toby Carvery

Location

Newbury

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Assistant Manag

Reference

2349891

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search