This week on the Menopause Uprising Podcast we have Minister Roderic O'Gorman. 

Minister Roderic O’Gorman has told leading menopause consultant Catherine O’Keeffe that the government has commissioned research to look at how best to support people in the workplace with menopausal symptoms. 

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of Ireland was a guest on ‘The Menopause Uprising', which is hosted by Catherine O’Keeffe, otherwise known as the Wellness Warrior. Minister O’Gorman outlined that the research is part of the government’s Women’s Health Action plan, which also deals with issues such as supporting people going through IVF, and establishing legislation surrounding surrogacy. 

Minister O’Gorman’s conversation came about as a recent Wellness Warrior ‘Menopause and Your Work’ survey showed almost four fifths of people still believe menopause is a taboo in the workplace, while half would like an in-house support group with colleagues. The top symptoms listed by people having difficulty in work because of menopause were brain fog, anxiety, loss of confidence and insomnia. 

Speaking on the ‘Menopause Uprising’ podcast, Minister O’Gorman explained the nature of the research currently underway: "Some of the issues that have come up in the course of our research are the need for basics in the workplace for people with menopausal symptoms, such as temperature control in an office, or having suitable material in a uniform. Other issues relate to the culture in a workplace - ensuring people are comfortable in going to their line manager to discuss their symptoms and needs.”

He told Catherine that progress has been made in the area of supporting menopausal women in the workplace, but more needs to be done: "A lot of companies in both the public and private sector are already taking steps towards supporting people going through menopause in the workplace. For now, it’s about guidance, support, better information and setting out best practices in workplaces. I think we can achieve a lot for a large proportion of workers and employees through that.” 

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