APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here she gives advice to a reader who has been diagnosed with autism.
Q: I hold a managerial position and recently a woman on my team confided that she’s started going through the menopause, which isn’t something I’ve encountered in a work environment before (nor in a private capacity).
I want to be as compassionate as possible, supporting her through this potentially uncertain and difficult time, but I’m not sure how best I, or the company at large, can help.
Do you have any advice?
Steve, via email
A: It’s great that you’re making the effort to understand your team’s needs – this displays strong management skills.
Also, creating an environment where a team member feels comfortable confiding in you about her experience with menopause speaks volumes about your managerial capabilities.
Handling these situations with sensitivity, empathy and understanding is crucial.
While you may lack knowledge, you are expressing your willingness to learn.
Many businesses have guidelines around dealing with menopause in the workplace, so speak to HR to find out what specific support yours provides.
If your company doesn’t have these, then you could encourage them to do so.
At West Ham United, we were the first Premier League football club to be awarded a Menopause Friendly accreditation, so you could be the first in your industry, too.
Ensure your colleague knows that you and the business are committed to supporting her throughout this time.
Ask for her thoughts on how the company can best provide support – for example, flexible working arrangements.
Keep in mind that regular check-ins will be essential to gauge how she’s coping and if she needs additional support to work.
