POSTAL workers called today for Royal Mail managers to be properly trained and educated about women’s issues.

Delegates at the CWU’s conference in Bournemouth voted in favour of establishing a one-day course for managers to be better educated on women’s workplace matters such as maternity leave and issues related to menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

The motion also specifically requested that the union develop the course, which could then be shared by the union with Royal Mail.

Moving the motion, CWU women’s advisory committee vice-chair Vicki Turner said: “Many, if not all the new recruits, will come into contact with female-related issues.

“It is a sad and disappointing fact that many Royal Mail managers do not understand the issues women face.

“Many situations have arisen where women on their periods are challenged by managers who feel they have taken too much time in the toilet.”

Speaking in support of the motion, delegate Cath Kelly said: “This motion is vital for our female members.

“We need to have a better understanding of the situation from managers and we need managers to change their attitudes.

“We had a lady issued with a warning for simply having a menopause.”

Wolverhampton delegate Vera Halsey said: “You’ll be hard up to find a male manager who understands or even wants to know about menopause.

“We’re having case after case of women going through their menopause coming in and saying: ‘What help am I going to get?’

“Managers say they don’t know. They need to do real training.”