Union claims men face bullying over the ‘manopause’ and says employers have a ‘duty of care’ to protect those experiencing it
- The Community Union has warned that employers have a duty of care to workers
Emoloyers have a ‘duty of care’ to protect men going through the menopause, according to a union.
Describing it as ‘a normal biological change that every man experiences’, it insists men should not be embarrassed to admit if they have symptoms such as poor sleep and hot flushes.
Workplaces must protect them from bullying or harassment or could face legal action, the advice warns.
Sufferers are encouraged to ask for help from bosses, such as for special uniforms.
The Community Union, which represents a range of sectors including steel and justice, says people suffering severe andropause – or ‘male menopause’ – could even be classed as disabled.
It comes after a Daily Mail audit revealed dozens of councils, universities, police forces, fire services and NHS trusts have guidelines on the issue (Stock Image)
It says men going through andropause would be protected by the Equality Act, designed to shield workers from discrimination.
Last night critics described the guidelines as ‘an absolute joke’. Charlie Mullins, the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, said: ‘I would rather go to a tribunal than give in to this ‘manopause’ nonsense.’
It comes after a Daily Mail audit revealed dozens of councils, universities, police forces, fire services and NHS trusts have guidelines on the issue.
This is despite NHS England’s website branding the term ‘misleading’ because it suggests men suffer a sudden drop in testosterone in middle age, similar to female menopause.
Like with women, the male menopause is used to describe the period in an adult man’s life when his hormone levels crash
Community states in advice to members: ‘You should not feel ashamed to talk about a normal biological change that every man experiences… If you are experiencing bullying or harassment because you are going through the andropause, your employer has a duty of care to prevent this.’
Larger unions, such as Unison and GMB, do not mention male menopause but state ‘the menopause affects a wide range of people’.
In its policy, GMB states ‘people from the non-binary, transgender and intersex communities may also experience menopausal symptoms’.
Meanwhile, Unison’s guidance notes that trans women ‘may experience pseudo-menopausal symptoms if their hormone therapy treatment is interrupted’.
Community Union was approached for comment.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk