The M word at work

Do you work??

Are there many women in powerful decision-making roles in your organization?

Have you ever taken off from work or cut back on hours due to certain nagging symptoms?

If yes, have you mentioned the real cause or discussed your issues at the workplace?

Do you fear that opening up about it will cause you trouble?(bias/sympathetic image/ stereotyping), loss of dignity, and embarrassment?

Do you think your organization is open to the ‘menopause conversation’?

Whatever your answers are we urge you to read on... it's important!

Here are some findings from multiple studies and surveys from across the globe:

• Women's representation in senior and top management roles is meager and declines as they move up the ladder (Source: Mercer, JobsforHer).
• At least one-third to a half of the women experiencing menopausal symptoms feel that they impact work life and productivity.?
• Most women are not comfortable discussing this at work due to multiple reasons: fear of bias, being considered old or unprofessional and not being considered for promotion, lack of empathy, and lack of policies/ support channels ( Source: Bank of America)

Another key revelation from the Bank of America?study?is the existence of a?disconnect between employers and female employees regarding menopause.

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While 3 out of 4 HR managers perceive that they are open to conversations around menopause, the intention does not seem to have translated into tangible action since less than 5% of women employees feel the same.

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Here is a personal account of someone who reached out to us to share her experience, a typical example of this gap in understanding?

"I was a single, workaholic urban woman in my mid-forties when (peri) menopause struck. Then began the hot flushes, chills, insomnia, anxiety, stress-induced panic, medium-grade depression, hyper-vacillating thoughts, violent urges, triggering environments, existential worries....all the time....for years. I had to quit my job as I felt suicidal. Till date, no one believes me. It would have helped if my immediate environment was kind, generous, and compassionate, given the menopause hell that I am in."

So, why is menopause not just a personal problem?

Unfortunately, the menopausal transition aligns with the challenging phase in a woman’s career, when she is still in the workforce or transitioning into senior/ management roles. This phase can be crippling in multiple aspects- physical, emotional, and psychological.

Menopausal symptoms may make a successful and energetic woman feel incapable, leading to a confidence crisis, psychological issues, and a decline in productivity.

Such devastating symptoms can even lead powerful and talented women to call it quits (Source:?Bloomberg,?Independent,?Abbott India). There are also reports of women being laid off for poor performance close to menopause.

Read related: Menopause, the great taboo

It’s estimated that the productivity loss from menopause is?over $2.2 billion is lost in productivity every year,?and women spend 24 years on average in the workforce in the menopausal state

(Source: Midday, a digital menopause app).

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

Mahatma Gandhi

Did you know?

The top reason for the lack of menopause benefits in place, according to employers (USA), is that women have not asked for them!

We can imagine the situation in the developing countries of South Asia. Under the shroud of cultural conditioning, it is all the more difficult for women to speak out.?

In fact,?women of colour undergo menopause?earlier?and experience more intense symptoms.?

Check this out: Your burnout could be perimenopause

?Therefore, it is not just enough for women to gain knowledge about this natural phase in their life but also to be vocal if they face debilitating challenges and request time off or flexible work arrangements (just as one would during maternity).

What’s the solution??

The key to addressing all these interlinked issues is firstly awareness and sensitization, not just for women about their bodies but for everyone in the organization.

Our founder, Sanjana was recently invited to an event organized by Swissnex in India, Consulate General of Switzerland called?#Winspiration?to talk on a panel about the need to address menopause at work.

This can help bring the much-needed change in mindset, as well as menopause policies, support, and benefits at workplaces.

In the wake of the diversity-equity-inclusion movement, menopause is a great place for companies to focus on.?

Awareness is the first step and?BPCL?pioneered a discussion about menopause at the workplace with us.

Is your organization next?

Are you ready to be a menopause champion?

There is no better time than NOW!

Reach out to us for awareness and sensitization workshops for your organization by emailing?[email protected]

The first step to a menopause-friendly workplace is to provide education to reduce the stigma

Stuff that matters (news and research)

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New Alzheimer’s drug Lecanemab slows cognitive decline

Do you think there are certain topics you would like us to address? Have you taken advantage of all Miyara has to offer?

Click reply and let us know what you think of our mission to help women during menopause transition.

If there is something you can do to help us in our mission, comment and share this newsletter with all in your network who need to know about this topic.

Till next time,

Love and light,

The Miyara Team?

P.S Head over to our website, to find out about our?customized wellness programs?and?products