Menopause is a significant life stage. Symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety can severely affect your employees. So why does it get overlooked in the workplace so often?
If these challenges aren’t talked about, they will affect productivity, attendance, and overall work performance of your team. They can even lead to premature exits from the workforce. Research shows that employees are reluctant to discuss their menopause-related symptoms with their employer, due to stigma and lack of understanding. DON’T BE THAT EMPLOYER!
Instead, use World Menopause Day (18th October) to learn more about how to support your employees through this life stage. By recognising how it affects their work lives, you can take proactive steps to create a supportive environment where everyone thrives.
Read on to learn about the symptoms of menopause and easy ways to build a menopause-friendly workplace.
Menopause symptoms and work life
Did you know:
- 73% of women aged 40-60 who are in employment report experiencing menopause-related symptoms?
- 1 in 100 women experience premature menopause before the age of 40, due to genetic conditions, surgery, or medical treatments? It’s important to remember it’s NOT just a certain age group.
- Despite the impact of menopause, only 25% of UK workplaces have policies or support in place to assist employees?
Menopause symptoms, like any physical or mental health symptoms, will disrupt employees’ ability to function at their best. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Hot flushes and sweats: Sudden temperature changes can cause discomfort and lead to poor sleep quality. This can leave employees feeling fatigued and less focused at work.
- Insomnia: Sleep disturbances are common, resulting in exhaustion, poor concentration, and reduced productivity.
- Anxiety and mood swings: Emotional changes can affect mental health and overall work performance, contributing to stress and reduced job satisfaction.
- Memory and concentration issues (brain fog): Many people experience difficulty focusing and retaining information, affecting their ability to carry out work tasks efficiently.
These symptoms can all lead to absenteeism, decreased productivity, and, in some cases, employees feeling like they need to leave the workforce. In fact, a CIPD survey revealed that 53% of women had taken time off work due to menopause symptoms, while up to 10% had left their jobs entirely because of them.
Key considerations for employers
As an employer, you have a crucial role to play in supporting employees through menopause. While many workplaces have been slow to recognise its importance, you can make some simple adjustments that will go a long way towards making your team members feel supported.
- Menopause symptoms can be unpredictable, so offering flexibility or remote work options can help employees manage their symptoms without added stress. Adjusting start and finish times can allow for more rest and help employees deal with fatigue and insomnia.
- Do your best to adjust physical workspaces. Employees may benefit from changes like improved ventilation, access to cooler areas, or adjusting the office dress code to ensure comfort. These small adjustments can help alleviate symptoms like hot flushes and discomfort, which are easily triggered by warm environments.
- If you can, provide access to healthcare services such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), mental health support, or stress-reduction programs. Wellness initiatives focusing on stress management, exercise, and nutrition can also be highly beneficial.
- Open dialogue around menopause must be encouraged, so that your employees feel comfortable being honest with you about what they are feeling. A culture of openness makes it easier for individuals experiencing menopause to seek support when needed.
Shockingly, only 10% of women feel able to discuss their menopause symptoms with their employer. Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing menopause-related challenges is so important when it comes to inclusivity, well-being and retention.
Keep learning!
Awareness days like World Menopause Day play a crucial role in shedding light on often overlooked issues that significantly affect the workforce. These campaigns encourage open discussions, reduce stigma, and provide a platform to educate leaders and employees alike. For employers especially, it’s an opportunity for us all to deepen our understanding of menopause and its impact on our teams.
There’s plenty of resources out there, such as guides, webinars, and blogs that you can read and share with your teams. By getting into the habit of doing this, you’ll be creating an environment where learning is celebrated and people will feel comfortable suggesting new ways to make everyone feel supported.
If you’re a business owner or manager, consider how these steps can be implemented in your workplace to create a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive environment for everyone.
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