Could What You Wear to Work Make Menopause Symptoms Harder to Manage?
Hot flushes, changes in body temperature and increased sensitivity can make menopause challenging enough – but could the clothes women are expected to wear at work be making the experience more difficult?
A pioneering research project is exploring the relationship between menopause, workplace clothing and wellbeing, with people experiencing perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause being invited to share their experiences.
Researcher Zoe Shaughnessy, who is currently undertaking a qualification with the British Psychological Society, is collaborating with the Menopause Friendly membership community on the project.
The research will examine something that can easily be overlooked in discussions around menopause at work: what people actually have to wear throughout their working day.
From compulsory uniforms and protective clothing to formal dress codes and expectations around professional appearance, workplace clothing may affect how comfortable someone feels when experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes and temperature changes.
But the research goes further than physical comfort. Zoe is looking at how clothing expectations interact with menopausal experiences and potentially affect identity, confidence, performance, inclusion and psychological wellbeing.
She wants to hear from anyone experiencing symptoms relating to perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause who is employed by an organisation. This includes trans men, intersex people and those who identify as non-binary.
People in leadership positions are also being encouraged to contribute their experiences of leadership, menopause and the workplace.
To allow participants to speak openly, responses and insights will be aggregated and anonymised in resulting reports.
“My hope is that this study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge about gendered ageing at work by examining the lived experience of people working through their perimenopause and menopause in relation to their clothing choice and options,” says Zoe Shaughnessy. “My aim is to support improvements in this space through a better understanding of the lived experience of women, clothing and menopause in the workplace.
“As the longest-established and leading provider of menopause in the workplace training, support and resources, Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace has a wealth of employers and employees within its Menopause Friendly membership,” continues Zoe. “In addition to hearing from its well-established community that prioritises menopause friendly practices, I’m wanting to hear from people whose employers who don’t currently recognise the vital role of clothing at work.”
Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, believes the research could help employers understand why seemingly straightforward clothing policies can have a significant impact.
“I’m delighted to be collaborating with Zoe’s research as I know how important clothing choices are to people experiencing menopause symptoms at work,” says Deborah.
“I’m hopeful that our members can share best practice ideas while people whose employers are not yet menopause friendly can share the barriers they face and explain what they’d like to see change. Together, these views could shape a clear view of what needs to change and the most effective ways to ensure everyone feels comfortable both physically and psychologically at work.”
How to Take Part
The questionnaire should take around 15 minutes to complete, with researchers particularly keen to hear honest accounts of how uniforms, dress codes and workplace clothing affect people experiencing menopause.
Take part in the questionnaire here: https://forms.office.com/r/pAKYa5uTfg