Menopause in the Workplace

Menopause – an inevitable part of many women’s lives – can disrupt how people manage their working lives. Symptoms of menopause typically look like frequent headaches, problems with memory and concentration, and low moods and anxiety. Menopause isn’t something any woman can avoid. On average, this phase of their life may last for four years, with some cases lasting up to 12 years.

It goes without saying that managing these symptoms in the workplace is taxing and trying for women. However, many workplaces in the UK don’t consider the struggle that women may experience.

The Statistics

As it stands, three out of four women will experience menopause, with one in four experiencing symptoms that impact their everyday life.

Since 2018, only 20% of women have held board seats on Russell 1000 companies, and it’s widely reported how this applies to businesses across the UK. Through recent initiatives, supporting mental health has become a more common priority in workplaces, however it would be interesting to know how many companies have considered putting a primary focus on women’s health in the workplace?

The problem with this is that so many symptoms of menopause conflict with a conducive work environment, so how do we go forward and find a balanced solution?

The Solution

Change can’t happen in an instant.

It takes time, understanding, and planning to incorporate real progress that will make a difference to lives.

Speak to your female workforce, understand what they want to see. Whether it’s flexible work time, the ability to work from home on a temporary basis, or private medical support, it’s your role as a business to support those who need the help.

It may not be something you’ll ever experience for yourself, and for some it will be considered less important than others will. The challenge for some women is not comparable or any less because others don’t understand it.

That just makes it that much more important.

If you want to help ease the issues of menopause for women in the workplace, follow these steps:

• Listen to what your workforce have to say.

• Put things in place flexible support.

• Start or continue the conversation.

• Provide menopause education within your workforce (contact us for information about our dedicated workshops we deliver).

We can only make a lasting change if we all work together. This is an issue that goes beyond the workplace.

Starting small always leads to big changes. If you need any more assistance, then get in touch with OH One.