Case Study 9 West Midlands Police – Menopause Awareness in Policing
- Initiated: 2019 (Ongoing)
- Provider: West Midlands Police
- Target Group: Female officers and staff experiencing menopause
- Goal: To foster a workplace culture that supports female officers during menopause through awareness-raising, policy integration, and peer support.
Key Actions - Delivered training programmes for officers and managers on menopause awareness
- Created confidential peer support groups for shared experiences and emotional support
- Integrated menopause considerations into existing occupational health and wellbeing policies
- Promoted open conversations about menopause as part of staff inclusion efforts
Impact - Increased confidence among female staff to speak openly about menopause
- Reduced stigma within police departments through structured awareness training
- Staff feedback reported greater comfort and understanding of available support
Lesson Learned - Leadership endorsement plays a crucial role in shifting organisational culture
- Continuous education is needed to keep awareness high and prevent knowledge decay
- Future efforts should include male staff more proactively to ensure inclusive dialogue
Success Factors - Senior leadership commitment to wellbeing and inclusion
- Budget allocated for training and resource development
- An inclusive internal culture supporting open dialogue
- Focus on physical comfort in the working environment
Sustainability - Menopause support integrated into long-term HR policy frameworks
- Ongoing internal campaigns maintain visibility and normalisation
- Regular review ensures cost-effective and responsive programme evolution
- Facility adjustments made to support physical wellbeing (e.g., ventilation, rest areas)
Explore how tailored sector guidance empowers better workplace support. See the police service’s menopause management framework alongside flexible working guidelines designed specifically for policing, ensuring every workforce addresses unique operational needs: