Two New Awareness Courses – Neuro Diversity and The Menopause

We open our new season of courses with our existing portfolio of 33 different subjects (technical and personal development skills) to which just have been added: - 

1. Neuro Diversity Awareness Training 

2. Menopause Awareness Training 

A profile of each one-day course which can be delivered online or in a training room appears below. A shorter half day (3.5 hours) digest is available on the same basis. And a half day digest of each can be delivered back-to-back. 

Understanding Neuro Diversity and helping Neurodivergent Team Members 

Neurodiversity refers to the different ways the brain can work and interpret information. It highlights that people naturally think about things differently. We have different interests and motivations and are naturally better at some things and poorer at others. 

However, it is estimated that around one in seven people (more than 15 per cent of people in the UK) are neurodivergent, meaning that the brain functions, learns and processes information differently 

This half day course provides practical insights into the concept of Neuro Diversity and the wide range of different people who require different types of support. Practical ideas on how to work and effectively support colleagues at work are presented against a background of the latest legal, educational, social and clinical reference points and resources. The course is supported with a comprehensive toolkit and showcases best practice in the private, public, and not for profit sectors. These case studies reinforce the importance of equality impact and workplace risk assessments that have proven success. 

Participants will leave the course with a clear understanding of: - 

• Definitions and Key Terms   

• Benefits of understanding and embracing neuro diversity   

• How employers can change the workplace to support neuro divergent employees and volunteers  

• Guidance for managers supporting neuro divergent team members   

• Tips on how to sensitively talk to a neuro divergent team member   

• Common adjustments that might be appropriate for a neuro divergent team member   

• Types of Neuro Divergence with ideas to help people with: -   

• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder – ADHD  

• Autism  

• Asperger’s Syndrome  

• Dyslexia  

• Dyspraxia  

• Dyscalculia  

• Dysgraphia  

• Tourette s Syndrome - TS  

• Sources of Further Information and Support   

Menopause Awareness 

It is estimated that there are currently 13 million UK women who are perimenopausal or menopausal, equivalent to almost one third of the UK female population. With an ageing UK population, more women than ever, 8 out 10 menopausal women, will be working into and beyond menopause. A significant number of women have left work due to the impact of menopause.  And of the 23 employment tribunals referencing menopause last year, 16 cited disability discrimination, 10 claimed sex discrimination and 14 were based on unfair dismissal. One employment tribunal in Hull heard how a factory worker was reprimanded for undoing her top button, despite having told her employer she was suffering hot flushes due to the menopause. 

What all these cases have in common is that they illustrate how the mismanagement of menopausal employees can result in expensive disputes. These can be prevented with an understanding of the menopause and by making reasonable adjustments that are tailored to an individual’s specific needs. Cases cover a wide spectrum of discrimination issues. Age and sex are potential reference points but also disability. Menopausal symptoms can constitute a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Employers should therefore always investigate fully when medical reasons are raised as a cause of poor performance or attendance. Workplace policies and procedures should be applied to employees equally, failing which an employer risks a dismissal being regarded as unfair. Employers should develop policies and procedures that will support menopausal employees in the workplace. Additionally, the growing volume of cases is increasing the pressure on government to amend the Equality Act by introducing a 10th Protected Characteristic on the Menopause in its own right. The all-party House of Commons Equalities Select Committee is spearheading this pressure. 

Our training course captures all these social and legal considerations. Participants will leave the course with:- 

• A clear understanding of what the Menopause is and how it can affect women at work.  

• Insights into the impacts the Menopause can have on your organisation’s workforce and productivity 

• Assistance to introduce and embed Menopause workplace policies and procedures 

• Clarity on how the law views Menopause at work 

• Tools with which to support Menopausal women at work 

• Signposts to a wide range of external information and support resources 

The course is accompanied with policy templates and an audit checklist.