Bank of Ireland have become one of Ireland’s first major employers to offer workers paid menopausal leave.
The measure comes into effect on Ireland’s first Menopausal Awareness Week. It was introduced following heavy campaigning from the Financial Services Union for menopause policies to be recognised by employers.
Employees who suffer from menopause related sickness are entitled to 10 days of paid leave under the new policy. Additionally, managers and HR personnel will receive training on how to support staff going through menopause in the workplace.
The FSU has campaigned to have the policy introduced in several main retail banks, including AIB and Deutsche Bank. They have also called on other employers to consider enacting the policy for the benefit of staff.
Mandy La Combre, senior industrial relations officer with the FSU, said: “Menopause has long been viewed as strictly a ‘private and personal matter’ shrouded in stigma, but with more women than ever in the workplace employers have a responsibility to consider the difficulties women may experience during menopause.”
She added: “The FSU have successfully campaigned for a Menopause policy in the main retail Banks, and we welcome the progressive approach taken by Danske, AIB, Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland in agreeing workplace policy on the Menopause with the FSU.”
A survey published by trade union Forsa revealed that approximately 70 per cent of women take time off work as a result of either period or menopausal pain . Participants who were going through menopause said that a lack of control over office temperatures often worsened their symptoms.
The move coincides with Ireland’s first annual Menopause Awareness Week. The week is centred around World Menopause Day, which fell on Tuesday , October 18.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly launched the awareness week with the opening of a designated menopause centre at the Rotunda Hospital. The service, which provides menopausal people with specialist knowledge, is free of charge but is only available through GP referral. The Minister plans to open six specialist menopause centres nationwide by the end of the year.
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