For example, menopause can cause drastic changes in body temperature, which can be addressed with fans, or by offering desks with windows or air conditioning vents close by. “Far too many women still feel embarrassed about discussing symptoms, and they must feel secure in the knowledge that they will not become the butt of the office jokes or judged about their symptoms, which can often be debilitating and very personal.”Īllen said: “The good news is that even though menopause is a noteworthy health issue, the support needed from a workplace point of view can be quite simple. “Champions allow women to feel safe speaking out about symptoms that may be causing them extra anxiety and challenges at work. “Menopause champions – just like mental health first aiders – have become a vital part of the workplace for many women,” Murray adds.
It's also important to remember that those managers too may be experiencing menopause symptoms, or will do at some stage, if they are female.
“Making sure line managers are trained, or at least have some basic knowledge, is hugely important. “Women who experience menopausal symptoms in the workplace are likely to need some support, or at the very least signposting, when they most need help,” said Murray.
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She said, “eradicating stigma and inaction starts with education” – which can include “wellbeing sessions on all aspects of women's health, including menopause, and training of managers on how to support employees with health needs”.ĭee Murray, CEO of Menopause Experts Group, agrees awareness training is a key part of the picture. “It isn't paid much attention in the workplace as a health issue, and therefore is rarely managed in a way that is optimum,” she added. While there has been a big increase in menopause awareness in recent years – with a number of celebrities, such as Davina McCall, shining a light on the topic, there's still progress to be made. “Menopause is a simple fact of life, and very much a reality in the workplace,” Paula Allen, global leader of research and total wellbeing, and senior vice-president at TELUS Health, told PA Media. “To help dispel the stigma around menopause and empower women to speak freely and honestly about their experiences, we need menopause champions in all workplaces,” Neha added. “It appears employers are failing an important part of their workforce by not providing the necessary support or creating a positive culture whereby people can raise concerns or issues with confidence. “Our research shows that almost half the of women surveyed think going through menopause will negatively impact their career, which is why so many women suffer in silence,” said Neha Thethi, head of employment at Lime Solicitors. The research, carried out in April, also found 60% of respondents think their workplace should offer more menopause support, and less than a third (29%) of the women surveyed said they would feel comfortable asking for adjustments to help support them with menopause symptoms. The law firm polled 1,001 women who are experiencing or have experienced menopause or perimenopause. In a bid to hide symptoms, 48% say they would lie about why they needed a sick day, rather than saying menopause was affecting them, and 39% are still embarrassed to talk about the topic at work, according to a new survey by Lime Solicitors. Nearly half (44%) of women experiencing menopause symptoms ‘suffer in silence' at work, due to fears it could negatively impact their career.
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