Menopause Awareness Programme for the Screen Sector: Session 5 - Menopause and the Workplace

Course: Menopause Awareness Programme for the Screen Sector: Session 5 - Menopause and the Workplace

Date of delivery: Monday 2nd March, 2026

Duration:  7pm – 8:30pm

Cost: Free

Venue: Online

Facilitator (s): Catherine O’Keeffe

Course Profile:

The National Talent Academies and Screen Guilds of Ireland are delighted to be partnering on a Menopause Awareness Programme for the Screen Sector, which includes collaborations with  Screen Producers Ireland and Women in Film & TV Ireland on sessions on 101 awareness, soft skills for menopause management, cultural conversations, reframing narratives, and effective workplace practices.

The fifth and final session in the programme is Menopause and the Workplace.  This comprehensive, interactive, and engaging session focuses primarily on equipping crew members going through or nearing menopause with essential soft skills to manage their symptoms in the workplace and to understand current workplace legislation and rights.

*Please note that medical advice won’t be given as part of this session.

Session content:

• Menopause Explained:  A brief recap of menopause to ensure all participants share a clear understanding of the stages, symptoms, and potential workplace impact.
  Discuss why women are reluctant to discuss menopause in a work environment.
• Legislation and Rights: Outline of relevant Irish employment and health & safety considerations, while clarifying the distinctions between employee rights and the protections available to contract workers.
• Supporting Managers to Lead With Confidence: Practical guidance for line managers, production leads, and coordinators on how to approach conversations with sensitivity and professionalism. Focus is placed on creating a culture where concerns can be raised early, reducing the likelihood of issues escalating during demanding production periods.
• Psychological Safety in Freelance Environments: Exploration of why contract workers may hesitate to disclose health challenges — including fear of not being rebooked, perceived loss of reliability, or stigma. The session highlights how psychologically safe cultures enable people to perform at their best.
• Practical Production Policies: Examining realistic measures a production company can implement to better support menopausal workers, even within freelance teams.
• Maintaining Experience on Set:  Losing highly skilled mid-career professionals — even informally — can impact continuity, efficiency, and team dynamics. Creating supportive environments helps ensure valuable expertise remains within the production ecosystem.

• Wins and Challenges: An honest discussion around what is working well across the industry, where gaps remain, and how organisations can make meaningful progress without creating operational strain.
• Q&A

Why Attend?

• To gain a clear, practical understanding of menopause in both employee and freelance working environments.
• To understand effective workplace practices and the considerations that support everyone at work.
• To build confidence in having informed, respectful conversations — whether supporting yourself or others.
• To explore realistic adjustments that protect well-being while maintaining performance.
• To leave with practical strategies that translate easily into day-to-day work.

Whether you’re seeking education, connection, or understanding, this session offers foundational tools for managing menopause.

Who is this for?

• Individuals experiencing menopause: Learn the basics, access resources, and find solidarity in a supportive environment.
• People who will experience menopause in the future: Gain insights into what to expect and how to prepare for this transition.
• Trans and non-binary individuals: Explore inclusive discussions about menopause tailored to diverse experiences and identities.
• Screen sector wellbeing advocates: Gain foundational knowledge to better support employees, crew or colleagues.

About the Space

This is an inclusive and intentional space where respect is non-negotiable. We welcome all people with open minds and a shared commitment to learning and support. Discrimination, harmful stereotypes, or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated. Together, we will foster an environment where everyone feels safe, heard, and valued.

Application Procedure:

Please register online at this LINK by 12pm on Wednesday, 25th Feb.

For technical difficulties with the online system, please email brian.murphy@nationaltalentacademies.ie

Film & TV Crew Academies courses are open to all regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

Reasonable accommodations: We aim to accommodate all attendees to help ensure they can successfully participate in our programmes. Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications we can make to help those with disabilities participate fully in our training events.

Company & Trainer Profile:

Catherine O’Keeffe is a Menopause Workplace Consultant, founder of Wellness Warrior, and creator of the Menopause Success Summit. Catherine is the author of the best seller All you need to know about menopause. Catherine hosts Ireland's only podcast dedicated to menopause: Menopause Uprising. She helps organisations implement a comprehensive menopause strategy that leads to meaningful change. She’s helped hundreds of companies choose support over silence including Workday International, StateStreet, Department of Health, Sainsburys, and Microsoft. Catherine is on a mission to shatter the menopause taboo, for good.