This survey was the second of its kind and was part of ongoing work to understand experiences and the awareness about menopause amongst police officers and police staff. The first survey was conducted in 2018.

The survey was a joint project being conducted by researchers at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), and on behalf of PFEW, Unison, the Police Superintendents' Association, the National Police Chiefs' Council, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

The findings from the Menopause Survey 2023 have provided us with crucial evidence to understand and support police officers, staff, managers and chief officers.

Key findings:

• 83% respondents said they had found symptoms of the menopause either moderately or extremely problematic at work.
• 65% said that they feel their job performance had been negatively affected by the menopause.
• 1 in 3 respondents disclosed they had considered leaving because they have found it difficult to deal with the menopause at work.
• Tiredness (85%) and sleep disturbances (81%) resulting from the menopause were cited as the most problematic menopause symptoms when working.
• Greater awareness amongst senior managers (78%), and line managers (77%), of menopause as a possible occupational health issue were identified as the main adjustments and support needed to make it easier to cope with symptoms of the menopause at work.
• Only 18% managers said they had been given training on how to support someone going through the menopause.
• Recalling detailed information (72%) and having to work shifts (57%) were the top two main aspects of work that make coping with symptoms of the menopause more difficult.
• 58% respondents decided not to tell their manager that they were/are experiencing symptoms of the menopause because they feel it is a personal matter.
• Only 17% respondents said after telling their line manager they were experiencing symptoms of the menopause, their duties or role was officially amended or changed.
• 70% respondents had gone to work despite feeling they should have taken sick leave because they were experiencing symptoms of the menopause.
• 38% respondents who had taken sickness absence due to the menopause had not told their manager the real reason for their absence.
• Just 19% respondents who had told their manager they were absent due to the menopause had their absence recorded accurately.
• 50% managers did not know whether their force had a formal policy regarding management of the menopause in the workplace.
• 96% managers said they would find it useful to have a formal policy.

You can find the full headline report here, and an analysis of the findings here.

The survey did not seek to make any medical evaluations.

When was the survey conducted?
The survey was held between 18 October 2023 and 28 November 2023.

Who could participate?
The survey was open to anyone who is either going through or has gone through the menopause, anyone with management or supervisory responsibility within the police service or anyone who has personal experiences of supporting someone going through the menopause.

Refer to the Privacy Notice subpage for information on how we processed participants' personal information in connection to the survey.

What were the aims of the survey?
The main aims of this survey were to understand:

1) The experiences of individuals who have either gone through or are going through the menopause.

2) The experiences and awareness of managers and supervisors in terms of supporting individuals who are going through the menopause.

3) The personal experiences of anyone within the police service supporting someone going through the menopause.

Coinciding with the survey results, PFEW hosted a Mental Health in Menopause Webinar on World Menopause Day which is available to watch on demand on our YouTube channel.