Demonstration leader: Ch Supt Dana Reid (fictional), Head of Workforce Wellbeing
Northshire Constabulary (fictional)
Filter by group
Breakdowns are released only when every group has at least 10 respondents, so hidden groups can't be worked out by subtraction.
Where work interacts with women's physical needs
% reporting it fit or worked fairly poorly or very poorly. Highest first.
Breast support with kit
49%- Very well10% (7)
- Fairly well12% (8)
- Neither well nor poorly16% (11)
- Fairly poorly29% (20)
- Very poorly20% (14)
- Not applicable4% (3)
- Prefer not to say9% (6)
Base: 69 of 74 respondents answered (5 skipped).
Uniform or specialist PPE fit
24%- Very well35% (25)
- Fairly well32% (23)
- Neither well nor poorlyhidden
- Fairly poorly14% (10)
- Very poorly10% (7)
- Not applicable6% (4)
- Prefer not to sayhidden
Base: 72 of 74 respondents answered (2 skipped). Small counts are hidden.
Vest, belt or harness fit
15%- Very well24% (17)
- Fairly well39% (28)
- Neither well nor poorly18% (13)
- Fairly poorly8% (6)
- Very poorly7% (5)
- Not applicablehidden
- Prefer not to sayhidden
Base: 72 of 74 respondents answered (2 skipped). Small counts are hidden.
Body armour fit
–- Very well26% (18)
- Fairly well36% (25)
- Neither well nor poorly11% (8)
- Fairly poorly11% (8)
- Very poorlyhidden
- Not applicablehidden
- Prefer not to say9% (6)
Base: 70 of 74 respondents answered (4 skipped). Small counts are hidden.
What helps women excel
What currently helps you work comfortably, confidently and effectively?
- Equipment and uniform that fit and work well39% (27)
- Suitable breast support46% (32)
- Strength, fitness or preparation for work demands47% (33)
- Supportive and informed managers14% (10)
- Supportive colleagues33% (23)
- Practical adjustments to equipment, duties or working patterns21% (15)
- Reliable toilet, hydration, privacy and changing facilities19% (13)
- Suitable breaks and recovery opportunities11% (8)
- Useful information about female health and work19% (13)
- Access to appropriate health or occupational-health support16% (11)
- Nothing in particular0% (0)
- Not sure6% (4)
- Other17% (12)
- Prefer not to say0% (0)
Base: 70 of 74 respondents answered (4 skipped). Respondents could choose more than one option, so totals exceed 100%.
Women's preferred changes
Which changes would make the greatest difference to your working experience?
- Better equipment design, sizing and fit35% (25)
- Better compatibility between breast support and occupational kit39% (28)
- Education on pelvic health, breathing and movement under load33% (24)
- Better support for periods14% (10)
- Better pregnancy, postnatal and breastfeeding support15% (11)
- Better menopause support19% (14)
- More reliable toilet, hydration, privacy and changing provision8% (6)
- Better breaks, shift arrangements or recovery opportunities17% (12)
- Managers who understand female health and physical needs13% (9)
- Clearer reporting, adjustment and referral routes15% (11)
- A structured return-to-duty process25% (18)
- Opportunities for women to test equipment and influence procurement19% (14)
- More independent research and evidence21% (15)
- No changes needed at present0% (0)
- Not sure4% (3)
- Other13% (9)
- Prefer not to say0% (0)
Base: 72 of 74 respondents answered (2 skipped). Respondents could choose more than one option, so totals exceed 100%.
Reported effect on work
Have equipment, physical demands, working conditions or related experiences affected any of the following during the past three months?
- Comfort, pain or fatigue during a shift39% (27)
- Breathing, movement, agility, strength or endurance38% (26)
- Concentration, confidence or sense of safety42% (29)
- Participation in training or fitness testing19% (13)
- Toilet, hydration or period management28% (19)
- Need for pain relief, self-management or healthcare25% (17)
- Sickness absence, restricted duties or return to operational work19% (13)
- Thoughts about changing role or leaving20% (14)
- A decision to change role, reduce duties or hours, or leave earlier than planned17% (12)
- No noticeable impact0% (0)
- Other16% (11)
- Prefer not to say0% (0)
Base: 69 of 74 respondents answered (5 skipped). Respondents could choose more than one option, so totals exceed 100%.
Life stages interacting with work
Have any of these affected how comfortably or effectively you could work, train or use equipment during the past three months?
- Periods or menstrual symptoms34% (23)
- Hormonal contraception39% (26)
- Pregnancy42% (28)
- Recovery and return after pregnancy or birth19% (13)
- Breastfeeding or expressing milk13% (9)
- Perimenopause or menopause15% (10)
- A pelvic-health or gynaecological condition22% (15)
- None of these12% (8)
- Other15% (10)
- Prefer not to say0% (0)
Base: 67 of 74 respondents answered (7 skipped). Respondents could choose more than one option, so totals exceed 100%.
Support, speaking up and intention to stay
If you needed support with an equipment or female-health concern, would you know where to go?
- Yes25% (18)
- Partly24% (17)
- No31% (22)
- Not sure13% (9)
- Prefer not to say7% (5)
Base: 71 of 74 respondents answered (3 skipped).
How comfortable would you feel raising an equipment or female-health concern at work?
- Very uncomfortable7% (5)
- Fairly uncomfortable21% (14)
- Neither comfortable nor uncomfortable27% (18)
- Fairly comfortable21% (14)
- Very comfortable12% (8)
- Not sure6% (4)
- Prefer not to say6% (4)
Base: 67 of 74 respondents answered (7 skipped).
During the past three months, did you raise an equipment or female-health concern through a workplace support or reporting route?
- Yes16% (11)
- No, although I had a concern31% (21)
- I did not have a concern to raise22% (15)
- Prefer not to say31% (21)
Base: 68 of 74 respondents answered (6 skipped).
What best describes the response so far?
- No response received6% (4)
- Acknowledged, but no action agreed15% (10)
- Action agreed, but not yet implemented18% (12)
- Action taken, but it did not helphidden
- Partly resolved21% (14)
- Resolved29% (19)
- Not surehidden
- Prefer not to say5% (3)
Base: 66 of 74 respondents answered (8 skipped). Small counts are hidden.
What stopped you from raising it?
- I did not know who to approach39% (27)
- I did not feel comfortable discussing it43% (30)
- I thought it might be seen as weakness54% (38)
- I worried about perceptions of my capability, career or deployment16% (11)
- I did not expect useful action14% (10)
- I preferred to manage it myself17% (12)
- I did not think it needed reporting19% (13)
- The reporting process was difficult or unclear11% (8)
- Other16% (11)
- Prefer not to say0% (0)
Base: 70 of 74 respondents answered (4 skipped). Respondents could choose more than one option, so totals exceed 100%.
How likely are you to want to remain in an operational/frontline role within this organisation over the next 12 months?
- Very unlikely9% (6)
- Unlikely17% (12)
- Neither likely nor unlikely26% (18)
- Likely21% (15)
- Very likely21% (15)
- Not surehidden
- Not applicablehidden
- Prefer not to sayhidden
Base: 70 of 74 respondents answered (4 skipped). Small counts are hidden.
Reviewed comments
Approved by the operator, with permission. Raw comments are never shown here.
“Once my vest was the right size I could actually get into the car and out again quickly. That one change made more difference than anything.”
“On long nights there is nowhere to go between jobs. I end up not drinking water so I don't need the toilet, and I feel it by the end.”
“My sergeant let me swap to a later start during the worst of perimenopause. It kept me on the street rather than off sick.”
Findings describe reported experiences, not medical causes or individual capability. Respondents chose to take part and may not represent the whole workforce.