Menopause in the workplace

Let’s start with some facts:

• Around 8 in 10 menopausal women are in work, and they are the fastest demographic in workplace
• 63% of women have said menopause symptoms have negatively affected them at work.
• 1 in 4 women have considered leaving work due to being unable to cope with symptoms.
• 51% of the population will go through menopause

Putting menopause awareness on the agenda at your organisation can support a culture of inclusion, diversity and equality. It can increase staff retention, improve performance and productivity and reduce absences and sickness.
It can also help to minimise recruitment costs.

Educating managers to understand the menopause, its signs and symptoms and how it can impact women in the workplace is so important. Providing this training helps make them better managers and publicly putting menopause on the agenda of your organisation will help to normalise conversation about this important topic in the workplace. Which makes team members dealing with symptoms feel more comfortable and confident about asking for guidance and support as and when they need it.

According to British Chamber of Commerce the average cost to an organisation of defending an employment tribunal claim is in the region of £8,500. And that doesn’t take into account any awards of claimants’ legal fees.
There have already been successful tribunals brought against employers where it has been found that menopause symptoms have not been taken into account. In fact, in 2021, the number of employment tribunals citing menopause increased by 44 percent on the previous year.
Being proactive when it comes to menopause in the workplace – including offering training and workshops to managers and people living with the symptoms – can reduce the risk of being taken to a tribunal.

Here at talking about menopause, we work closely with our trusted partner The HR Dept who can advise you further on how to support women in your team who are experiencing menopause or perimenopause symptoms.  Women of menopausal age are the fastest growing group in the workplace but sadly in the past many have left their jobs or have reduced their hours or responsibilities due to menopausal symptoms.  With recruitment and retention of the best employees being a key priority for business success, it is becoming ever more important to understand how a simple Menopause Policy can help.