Supporting Women Through Menopause in the Workplace

Menopause in the workplace:

It is no secret that women over 50 are the fastest economically active group in the UK.

As companies commit to gender equity and strive to create workplace cultures that are supportive of all genders, it is vital for HRDs, wellbeing consultants, and D&I leaders to recognise a key life stage in people’s working lives—menopause.

All too often, people experience menopause when they have already achieved their most senior roles, and supporting them through this transition is an essential part of creating a more equitable workplace.

Becoming a 'Menopause-Savvy' Employer

Employers can adopt various strategies to become menopause-savvy, enabling them to better support their employees as they navigate menopause.

The first step is raising awareness and normalising the conversation on menopause at work by providing education on what it means to experience menopause, as well as recognising the unique challenges faced by those who go through it.

This is important regardless of the ages or genders of those at work. Menopause can occur at any time, and assuming it's only a problem for older female staff members misses the point of becoming menopause savvy!

Raising awareness could be done through hosting open conversations or offering educational seminars and workshops on topics such as “Menopause & Me” or “Opening the Conversation."

Employers should initiate these conversations and provide effective, accessible solutions for individuals experiencing symptoms like sleep disturbances, anxiety, or mood swings. This could include things like flexible working arrangements or access to practical resources such as cooling fans and flexible working. Sharing this post with your managers is a useful way to ensure practical ideas make their way into the workplace.

Menopause Support in the Workplace

At Women Of A Certain Stage, we offer training and courses designed to help employers become menopause-savvy, enabling them to better understand how to support their staff members during this life stage transition.

Our FREE Menopause The Basics course provides an introduction to the subject matter, including definitions of key terms, common symptoms experienced by women during menopause, and strategies for managing these symptoms both personally and professionally, while our Become a Menopause Champion course covers how individuals can become more aware of the implications of menopausal transitions on employees' health and well-being within an organisational context and provide effective listening and signposting.

Menopausal transitions can be a difficult chapter for many individuals, and through our Become a Menopause Coach certification, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide professional support both within organisations and privately. Delve further into this unique area of coaching and make an impact in people's lives. No prior knowledge is required.

Businesses should view creating a supportive work environment for individuals going through menopausal transitions as both an ethical imperative and a practical benefit.

By offering resources on understanding and navigating this transition period, employers can greatly contribute towards greater gender equity in the workplace.

Despite any physical or mental obstacles caused by the menopausal transition, they assist their employees in achieving their full potential.

To find out more about our training courses, look at the various options in the 'Coaching and Courses' section on this website, or get in touch to discuss how we can support your organisation in becoming menopause savvy!

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Photo credits:

Photo by Jens Lindner on Unsplash

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash