Exhausted female police officers could be given the morning off if they lose sleep because of the menopause.
Police Federation research has found more than 80% of cops going through menopause suffer with tiredness and sleep deprivation. Around 33% had considered quitting and 56% said the menopause – which can also affect memory and concentration – had put them off pursuing promotion.
Now the Federation’s Women’s Health lead Hayley Aley is calling for changes. She said: “If an officer has had no sleep and they’re due on shift at 7am, there is flexibility there to swap to a late shift.”
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Women make up 35% of officers in England and Wales’ 43 police forces. The call for better understanding of menopause comes almost four years after Cleveland Police inspector Michelle Lackenby lost a sex discrimination tribunal claim that her bosses tried to replace her while she was off with severe symptoms.
The Federation has previously raised concerns that 40% of forces do not have a menopause policy. But there is evidence of improvement in some areas of the country. In 2023 the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire forces won a government backed independent Menopause Friendly Accreditation.
Ms Aley said: “With more women officers than ever the menopause is not a matter just affecting a small proportion, but one that impacts thousands every day. Developing training programmes for managers can bridge this knowledge gap.”