Survey seeks views from across policing on menopause

18 October 2023

Polfed News

To mark World Menopause Day, the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), working with the national Menopause Action Group, has today launched its second survey, ‘Everyone Pause’.

The survey will enable the police service across the UK understand everyone's personal experiences of the menopause, the awareness of line managers and senior leaders around this subject and what training is in place.

It is anticipated the findings of the second survey will help with education, standardisation and understanding so the right support can be provided to police officers and police staff.

PFEW believes it is relevant for everyone to stop and take part in the survey, to have their say on an issue that has much wider implications than what is generally perceived.

The survey is 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.

The present survey is a joint project being conducted by researchers at 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.

PFEW wants to build on the success of the first survey back in 2018 that helped forces, locally and nationally, focus on what was needed across policing to support those in transition with the right support in place to assist in the workplace.

The evidence generated by the first survey provided key insights to build the National Menopause Guidance, which is still in place across all forces.

After five years, it is time to analyse and understand what the current picture is and what still needs to be done.

Leading on the initiative, PFEW Women’s Lead Hayley Aley, said: “Across PFEW, women representatives have reported there is improvement since the first survey findings and the progress forces have made to support officers and staff are welcomed. However, the picture varies from force to force and we now want to see what still needs to be done to support all at this difficult time in their lives.

"We are all working longer hours and in differing roles, and this transition can have a huge effect and impact greatly on capabilities within the workplace. To support organisations in realising the scope and scale of issues around the menopause, we are asking officers, staff and line managers for their support with this survey.

"It is not solely about personal experiences, we also want to understand the awareness of line managers and senior leaders around this subject and what training is in place.

“Senior leaders have a responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of their workforce, and to support individuals appropriately when they need it. The purpose of this survey is to give us the evidence we can provide to leaders to action what needs to change, to praise those that are getting it right, to share some good practice and to ensure forces provide the right support and guidance to all.

"This will ultimately give confidence to individuals that when it is their turn to face this transition, if needed, appropriate support and adjustments can be identified and made available."

For more information, visit our Menopause Survey 2023 page.

Hear more from PFEW Women's Lead Hayley Aley.