PRINCIPALS are being urged to make schools and classrooms more menopause-friendly.
The INTO northern conference heard calls to support teachers to help prevent them leaving the profession.
A motion put forward asked the union to negotiate with employers on measures including putting in place an agreed policy on supporting menopause in classrooms.
Senior official Nuala O'Donnell said a significant majority of teachers are female and likely to go through menopause at some point in their careers.
In 2018, a survey revealed that of the women who had direct experience of the menopause, nearly half felt that it was treated negatively in their workplace.
More than 50 per cent reported witnessing it being treated as a joke.
The INTO will negotiate with employers on measures that include training for principals and boards of governors.
"The menopause is not a joke and it's about time all schools made sure support measures are in place for teachers. This is an occupational health issue for women teachers and it's also an equality issue and should be treated sensitively and supportively," Ms O'Donnell said.
"In a female-dominated profession such as teaching, supporting women who are teaching, while at the same time experiencing symptoms of the menopause, should feature high on any school leader's agenda. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
"This is a natural cycle in a woman's life and we are calling for principals to act now if they haven't already done so. Many female teachers feel uncomfortable talking about their situation, perhaps because they are afraid of encountering sexist and ageist attitudes towards women, the menopause and female ageing in their workplaces."
