'I couldn't cope - menopause must be treated fairly at work'

The mother told of a ‘nightmare’ in the workplace during the ‘change of life’ and hopes the research will help females get a fairer deal. 
 
Claimed unfair dismissal and harassment, jury saw fit to award Aberdeen’s 50-year-old Karen Farquharson the prize for enduring humiliation after being clocked as forever using menopause as an alibi. 
 
It is pertinent to own and highlight the following words of the subject she said: ‘Work-wise I just felt that I couldn’t cope anymore’. All that was going through this man’s head was, ‘I just didn’t know who I was. 
 
The new investigation with the University of Aberdeen is focusing on views and volumes of the mental health problem for women as well as what more has to be done, and how the cabinets and parliaments of the countries should respond and unveil new policies to deal with the issue. 
 
Karen testified that she was even told to ‘just get on with it’ after choosing to be off work for some time due to symptoms related to her condition. 
 
The office manager from the Peterhead engineering firm where she worked quit the job. 
 
A tribunal to employer’s relations heard her menopause problems as mere ‘aches and pains’ and she received a £37 000 damages last year. 
 
‘’It just came crashing down, I didn’t actually think I was a real person anymore’’ Karen said 
 
Such as the inability to concentrate, or brain fog, and the anxiety, oh yes the anxiety. Driving became a nightmare. Social functioning and interactions became worse when the patient was in social situations. 
 
Worse, she felt suicidal, especially throughout the tribunal process, which to her was ‘’the worst thing I’ve ever gone through. ” 
 
Now, Karen is participating in the study devoted to studying the effect of the menopause on mental states of women. 
 
Present are the employment questions, moods, sleep, and pain-related questions. 
 
It was unexpectedly a rude shock to realize that she has some of the symptoms that they are asking about and those feelings Mrs Farquharson said. 
 
Sometimes, simple activities such as even preparing tea appears to be something that can be so draining. 
 
If a woman seems really miserable I can tell because some have messaged me on the private, or I have read their posts the and it makes me sad. 
 
This is the following complaint typical for issue-mentioning-solutions: “We’re not being treated properly. ” 
 
Professor Dr Lucky Saraswat of the University of Aberdeen, who is a consultant to the Scotland government on women’s health, is associated with the research. 
 
Consultant gynaecologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Dr Saraswat thinks that employers can do more. 
 
”Mental health was always less treated compared to physical health,” she said. 
 
But realising that some of the physiological conditions can also affect mental health I do not believe that it can be wholly dismissed for too long. 
 
‘A whole lot of work has to be done and more funding must also be provided for research which must be integrated into the appropriate policies of governments, employers must be informed. ’ 
 
'Losing good employees' 
 
From the interview with Dr Saraswat, many women for one reason or the other could not discuss with their employers symptoms they are experiencing due to menopause. 
 
She added: It stated ‘They are indeed good citizens, they are experienced, knowledgeable and skill full, we do not want them phasing out from the job market’. 
 
That is why it is important to know how this affects work as this is something that can be changed. 
 
“But if you don’t realize this is what’s cancerous and not addressing it, it actually means that you will lose a lot of good employees. ” 
 
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce noted saying that it is no longer acceptable for any female employee to keep in the dark any symptoms of the menopause. 
 
Director Liz Cameron said: Companies must realise the significant effect of the menopause on the employees’ health and wellbeing and address it accordingly. 
 
What is the menopause? 
 
The menopause is when women do not get their periods any more and this usually occurs at 51 years or there abouts. This defines the period in which people of reproductive age will have ceased having children. 
 
The time preceding this event, changes when a woman’s menstrual cycle is not predictable, is called the peri-menopause. It starts, on an average, at 46. 
 
This is when many women remember that they have irregularities on their periods or heavy bleeding and have emotions or physical complaint which were not previously present. 
 
Approximately one year after periods have not occurred a woman can stand and assert that she has gone through menopausal stage. 
 
In some cases, it occurs earlier – by themselves or after the treatment of another disease.