For organisations and employers
This page is for producers, venues, organisations and anyone who hires or works with freelancers. The aim is simple, help people work well, keep them safe, and keep great talent in the industry.
Note: this is practical guidance, not legal advice. For legal information, please see our Self-advocacy and Rights section.
Respect and privacy
You do not need medical details to offer support
Ask early
Simple adjustments are easier to plan before day one
Flexibility beats forms
Agree small changes that help the person do their job
Normalise the conversation
Treat menopause like any other workplace need
01.
Add a single access and wellbeing question to callouts, contracts, and rehearsal packs, “Is there anything that will help you work at your best, for example temperature, breaks, seating, toilets, or uniform.”
02.
Name a point of contact for access and wellbeing, ideally someone with day-to-day authority.
03.
Breaks, plan short breaks roughly every 60 to 90 minutes on long days and make seating available and visible in rehearsal rooms, on set, and backstage.
04.
Water and airflow, ensure drinking water is available, allow small fans, open windows where safe.
05.
Nearby toilets and freedom to step out briefly without fuss.
06.
Layers not rigid clothing, allow breathable fabrics and layers where safe, provide alternatives for hot environments.
07.
Realistic calls after late finishes, avoid very early starts following late shows or turnarounds.
08.
Quiet space, identify a calm space where someone can cool down or settle if symptoms spike.
09.
Clear notes and schedules, share written notes and call changes to support people managing brain fog.
10.
Keep it private, handle disclosures with care, store only what you must, share on a need to know basis.
- Include a short access line in letters of agreement and booking forms
- Budget a small contingency for adjustments, fans, extra water, flexible costume options, room hire changes
- Share contact details for the access lead and confirm how to raise needs at any time
- Provide venue information up front, toilets, water points, temperature control, stairs or lifts, parking
- Agree short breaks during long plotting or heavy concentration
- Position desks or stations near airflow where possible
- Permit personal cooling aids that do not affect safety or sound
- Offer a quiet space for short recovery if symptoms spike
- Review next day call times after late finishes
- Use everyday language, “What will help you work well”
- Avoid jokes about symptoms
- Model good behaviour in the room, leaders take breaks, drink water, open windows when safe
- Treat menopause support like any other sensible health and safety adjustment
For legal context and good practice, see our Self-advocacy and Rights page for links to NHS information, the British Menopause Society, Acas, EHRC guidance, and union resources.
Menopause is common, support is simple, and the impact on people and productions is real. Plan small adjustments, keep the conversation open, and you will help freelancers stay well and do their best work.
Some freelancers manage menopause alongside disability or long-term conditions. Offer simple adjustments and keep details private unless the person asks you to share.
- On set seating. Provide a chair for each performer near set.
- Wardrobe access. Ensure quick access to the costume truck or tent, and a private space for garment changes.
- Call sheet notes. Add water points, toilets, and a named wellbeing contact to the daily call.
- Intimacy and confidentiality. Route sensitive conversations through the appropriate HOD or coordinator, and keep them private.
- Water available, windows or fans, room kept within a comfortable temperature range
- Breaks planned and visible on the day sheet
- Seating is standard, not a perk. Provide enough chairs for everyone. Make it clear people can sit or stand as needed.
- Nearby toilets, no gatekeeping of short comfort breaks
- Clear note-taking process, written summaries after complex sessions
- Space for layers, breathable clothing, relaxed dress where safe
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Book accommodation with windows that open where possible, or confirm effective cooling
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Schedule arrivals to allow rest before call
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Share venue details in advance, especially toilets and water access
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Keep transport plans realistic, avoid tight turnarounds that increase stress
- Thank them for raising it
- Ask what helps, temperature, breaks, water, seating, toilets, schedule tweaks
- Agree small changes you can make now, confirm in writing if useful
- Review after a week or after tech, check what is working, adjust if needed
- KEEP IS PRIVATE, only those who need to know should know
- Private check-in. The Head of Wardrobe or Costume should contact each performer directly and discreetly before rehearsals or fittings to discuss comfort, underlayers, and any needs related to heavy periods or menopause.
- Garments that help. Offer options such as period underwear, leak-proof shorts or tights, reusable pads or liners, and base layers that are breathable and quick drying.
- Colour and coverage. Where design allows, consider darker base layers or discreet coverage solutions for peace of mind during heavy flow.
- Spare sets. Keep spare base layers available for quick changes if a leak occurs.
- Supplies on hand. Stock period products, dark towels or cloths, a small stain-removal kit, and sealable bags for soiled items. Provide bins with lids in dressing rooms and quick-change areas.
- Respect and confidentiality. No one needs to share medical details. Keep information on a need to know basis only.