Spotlight on Oxfordshire County Council, with Martin Reeves, CEO

Martin, can you talk a little about why OCC decided to integrate a focus on menopause into its wellbeing strategy?

As an organisation we value diversity, equality, and inclusivity. We recognise that a significant proportion of our colleagues may experience perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms as they transition through this period in their lives. We want to be able to support those colleagues.

Focusing on the menopause as part of our broader wellbeing strategy will encourage open conversation. It helps build awareness, highlight support available, provide opportunities for colleagues to come together to share stories so they don’t feel alone. We also provide training opportunities for our line managers; so they feel confident in having sensitive and supportive discussions and colleagues feel confident to approach them.

Supporting our colleagues through the menopausal transition can improve their health and wellbeing.  This assists them to thrive within the workplace but can also have a positive impact on their home lives.

You're leading the way for male allies within the organisation by attending one of the male-only sessions - how do you define being a male ally and what advice would you have for others who might feel worried about saying or doing the 'wrong thing' when talking to someone going through the menopause transition?

I attended a male-only session in my previous authority and through the resources that were made available and the safe space created for conversations, where no question was considered to be foolish,  meant that I learned so much. However, I know that there is still so much more for me to be educated on.  I want to be able to support colleagues transitioning through the menopause in the best way possible, which is why I’m keen to attend the webinar. I want to foster an environment that is truly inclusive, where we can openly and sensitively talk about our health and wellbeing.

To my male colleagues, I would say attend the course, learn more about the impact of the menopause. I’m sure we will all learn something that will help us understand and support family, friends, and colleagues.

What other steps is OCC taking to create a culture of psychological safety where people feel comfortable openly discussing their experiences with menopause in the workplace?

We are striving to reduce the stigma surrounding the menopause, so it does not remain a taboo subject and colleagues feel safe to openly discuss their experiences. This is being achieved through our organisational wide menopause awareness sessions, which are open to colleagues that identify as male or female. Our line managers have the opportunity to attend sessions on how best to support colleagues through the menopause.

We also have an active menopause group on Yammer and share stories and lived experiences through our wellbeing newsletter.  We will continue to work with our colleagues to encourage open conversation and disseminate accurate information to create a positive and inclusive culture.