Top tips for managing menopause in the hospitality industry

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.