Open Up the Conversation: Navigating the workplace
Recorded August 2024
Our volunteer content producer Lauren Buchanan sat down to chat with Carol-Anne, Laura Teare-Jones, and Charlotte to discuss how to navigate reproductive health in the workplace. They share their own experiences of with working while living with a reproductive health condition, as well as tips for workers and employers.
In this video:
Carol-Anne Calder: Reproductive Health Advocate @absolutelycarol
Laura Teare-Jones: PMDD Campaigner, Hormone & Mindset Coach turned Business Mentor, and Women’s Health Advocate @lauratearejones // Link to Laura’s PMDD guide can be found here.
Charlotte Holland: Fibroids Advocate, Programme Manager and Founder of Hystera @hystera.health
Hosted by: Lauren Buchanan, Freja’s Volunteer Content Producer
Key takeaways for navigating the workplace:
Advocate for yourself
It may feel uncomfortable to talk about reproductive health at work, but it’s important to advocate for yourself so you can get the support that you need. You should discuss what support you might need with your manager and ask for a referral to the occupational health team, if your company has one.
Take sick days if you need to
Sometimes you may feel guilty using sick days for things like a period or period pain. But if you’re not feeling well enough to work, you shouldn’t feel bad about calling in sick.
Don’t let your condition knock your confidence
While your reproductive health condition might make doing some things at work more challenging, remember that you can still do so much - you just might need to approach things a little bit differently. It might take you a bit longer, or your employer can put support in place to enable you to continue to work.
Turn to colleagues for support
If you feel comfortable, you may want to go trusted colleagues for support. Once you start talking to other people in the workplace about your condition, you may realise that there are others who share your experience, which can help you build a support network.
Don’t be afraid to leave a toxic workplace
Remember that you don’t have to stay in a job where you aren’t getting the support for your reproductive health that you need. There are workplaces out there that will allow you to prioritise your health.
Employers - don’t be afraid to talk about reproductive health
The most important thing you can do is create a work environment where people feel comfortable discussing their reproductive health conditions.
Don't panic if an employee discloses a reproductive health condition to you. No one is expecting you to be a reproductive health expert, and you don’t need to have all the answers. All you need to do is listen, be compassionate, and ask them what you can do to help.