Created on: 15 Oct 2025
Working life in Scotland is perhaps better than it used to be for those living through menopause.
Across the public and private sectors, a growing range of support measures – from flexible hours and hybrid arrangements to cooler offices and specialist clinical assistance – are helping staff manage severe symptoms such as depression, memory loss, and exhaustion.
The improving picture is to be welcomed, but far too many women continue to suffer in silence. Some are even driven to quit their jobs, taking their talent and skills with them.
Thanks to a national menopause policy developed jointly by employers and trade unions, Scotland’s college sector is helping to break that silence. Our goal is to ensure staff can speak up about their needs so that they continue excelling at work.
Moreover, and as we approach World Menopause Day, colleges and trade unions want to make it clear that this policy – with communication and dialogue at its heart – is not just a statement of intent.
It is a practical expression of the Scottish Government’s Fair Work vision, embedding principles of Effective Voice, Opportunity, Security, Fulfilment and Respect into everyday workplace practice.