This programme gives managers the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to respond appropriately to each of these situations.
Introducing Menopause Support for Managers
Watch this short introduction from Karen Vernon to understand the purpose of the programme, the practical skills managers will develop and how it can support a fairer, more confident organisational response to menopause at work.
Practical Menopause Training for Managers
Watch the 3-minute programme introduction
What managers will learn
By completing the programme, managers will be better able to:
- understand the possible workplace effects of perimenopause and menopause;
- initiate and respond to conversations respectfully;
- protect privacy and voluntary disclosure;
- avoid assumptions, stereotypes and inappropriate language;
- focus on workplace impact rather than attempting to diagnose;
- consider support and adjustment requests fairly;
- manage performance and attendance conversations sensitively;
- understand the boundaries of their management role;
- challenge inappropriate workplace behaviour;
- use organisational policies consistently; and
-
seek timely advice from HR, Occupational Health or other appropriate services.
Menopause Support for Managers Curriculum
- Perimenopause and Menopause: Essential Understanding (1:59)
- Individual Variation and Intersectional Experiences (1:45)
- Possible Effects on Workplace Functioning (1:37)
- Avoiding Assumptions, Stereotypes and Diagnosis (1:28)
- Manager Implementation Workbook 1 (0:43)
- Optional Guided Reflection: Becoming a Confident Menopause-Supportive Manager (1:37)
- Workplace Implementation Guide 1 (0:39)
- Module 1 Summary (0:32)
- Module 1 Knowledge Check (0:44)
- Recognising When a Conversation May Be Helpful (1:10)
- Opening a Conversation Respectfully (1:08)
- Listening Without Diagnosing or Giving Medical Advice (1:09)
- Confidentiality, Consent and Record-Keeping (1:21)
- Signposting and Escalating Appropriately (1:10)
- Manager Scenario Practice (1:12)
- Manager Implementation Workbook 2 (0:37)
- Optional Guided Practice — Preparing for a Supportive Conversation (1:49)
- Workplace Implementation Guide 2 (0:29)
- Module 2 Summary (0:30)
- Exploring Employee-Led Support Needs (1:22)
- Examples of Potential Workplace Adjustments (0:50)
- Working with HR and Occupational Health (4:53)
- Agreeing and Reviewing Adjustments (2:22)
- Maintaining Professional Boundaries (2:41)
- Manager Scenario Practice (6:02)
- Manager Implementation Workbook 3 (2:00)
- Optional Guided Reflection: Fair, Flexible and Employee-Led Support (7:32)
- Workplace Implementation Guide 3 (4:14)
- Module 3 Summary (5:39)
- Separating Health Discussions from Performance Processes (9:01)
- Maintaining Clear and Fair Expectations (8:47)
- Avoiding Assumptions About Capability (5:07)
- Absence, Return-to-Work and Ongoing Support (1:44)
- When Specialist Advice Is Required (2:06)
- Manager Scenario Practice (3:31)
- Manager Implementation Workbook 4 — Managing Performance Fairly
- Module 4 Summary (7:05)
- Creating Psychological Safety Without Forced Disclosure (6:43)
- Inclusive Communication and Team Practices (8:00)
- Challenging Stigma and Inappropriate Behaviour (4:37)
- Connecting Policy with Everyday Management (7:37)
- Your Manager Action Plan (5:44)
- End Knowledge and Confidence Check (1:34)
- Module 5 Summary (1:26)
About Karen Vernon
Karen Vernon is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with a BSc (Hons) and extensive experience supporting people experiencing psychological and workplace difficulties.
Karen developed Menopause Support for Managers to address a common organisational challenge: managers want to be supportive, but are often uncertain about what to say, what their responsibilities are and when specialist advice is required.
Her approach combines clinical expertise, CBT-informed principles and practical workplace application. The programme helps managers develop respectful, psychologically informed responses while maintaining confidentiality, professional boundaries and consistency with organisational policies.
Karen does not ask managers to become therapists or medical experts. Her aim is to give them the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to hold appropriate employee-led conversations, consider workplace support fairly and involve HR, Occupational Health or other specialist services when required.
Scope and Professional Boundaries
Managers play an important role in creating a respectful and supportive working environment, but they are not expected to diagnose menopause, provide treatment or act as therapists.
This programme helps managers understand how to:
- Hold respectful, employee-led conversations without making assumptions or pressing for personal health information.
- Listen and respond appropriately while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
- Focus on workplace impact and practical support rather than symptoms, diagnosis or treatment.
- Protect privacy and share information only when necessary and in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Consider workplace support fairly without promising a particular adjustment or outcome.
- Recognise when an issue falls outside their authority and seek advice from HR, Occupational Health, safeguarding or another appropriate specialist service.
The training provides practical, evidence-informed workplace education. It does not replace organisational policies, professional HR or legal advice, clinical assessment, medical care, therapy, safeguarding procedures or emergency support.
Managers should always follow their organisation’s policies and obtain appropriate advice where circumstances are complex, urgent or outside the boundaries of their role.
Choose Your Access Route
Purchasing for yourself?
Individual managers can enrol immediately and receive 12 months’ access to the complete programme, practical resources and a certificate of completion.
Purchasing for an organisation?
Organisational access is arranged separately according to your cohort size, access requirements, implementation support and evaluation arrangements. Please request organisational information rather than purchasing an individual place.
Discuss a pilot for your organisation
Agree the cohort size, access period, implementation support and evaluation arrangements through a confidential corporate discovery call.
Organisational Pilot Access
Menopause Support for Managers is currently available to selected organisations through a structured pilot programme.
Pilot access can include:
- Course access for an agreed cohort of managers
- Practical manager resources and implementation materials
- Certificates of completion
- Anonymised programme feedback and evaluation findings, subject to agreed reporting arrangements
- An optional facilitated session or organisational briefing
Participant access is provided to named managers for the agreed pilot period. Pilot places are arranged directly with the organisation rather than purchased individually through this page.