Menopause: A Silent Career Derailer

Menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the workplace, yet 10% of women leave their jobs due to the menopause…

World Menopause Day (18 October 2023) saw organisations from across the world raise awareness and break the stigma of the menopause. A new survey by Menopause Mandate published to mark World Menopause Day found that 96% of women say their "quality of life" had suffered as a result of the menopause.

As strong advocates of diverse life options, the Women in Work Summit along with Menopause Mandate, campaign and educate on how to attract and retain the best talent in the workplace at all stages of life. As companies increasingly wise up to the health implications women face over their careers there is the rise of fertility support, lactation rooms, childcare benefits and more to assist new mothers.

However, there's one crucial aspect we often overlook - the impact of menopause on women's careers.

The effect of menopause is highly individual, with brain fog, anxiety and fatigue being among the most disruptive symptoms. However, over 30 potential symptoms including hot flushes, flooding, UTI’s, concentration difficulties, heart palpitations, and insomnia, can erode a woman's career as sleepless nights exacerbate memory lapses and erode self-confidence.?

Menopause is a workplace challenge for many women, a large percentage silently endure it and can impact career progression for many. For far too long, these symptoms have remained concealed.

• By 2025, there will be over one billion women experiencing menopause in the world, which will be 12% of the entire world population of eight billion?
• Over 80% of women will experience debilitating menopause symptoms for more than one year and many women will still experience symptoms seven years after their final period
• Nearly a third of women in the UK have missed work due to menopause symptoms, and many women working in areas such as healthcare have had to step away from their professions due to inadequate workplace support
• A BMS survey found that 90% said their menopause had affected their working lives, 38% said they were unable to make the changes they needed to cope with their symptoms and a significant number said they would be laughed at or ridiculed by both managers and peers if they spoke about the menopause

Women can take several steps to address menopause and continue thriving in their careers:

• Educate Yourself: Medical education often neglects menopause. Arm yourself with knowledge about the symptoms affecting your quality of life. “From the beginning of time our health has been overlooked, misunderstood, and is only now comprehended as something entirely different to men's and utterly imperative to understand.” Mariella Frostrup, Co-Founder of WiW Summit and Menopause Mandate and author “Cracking the Menopause”
• Seek Treatment: While menopause is a natural phase, its symptoms, stemming from hormonal imbalances, are treatable. Don't accept that hot flushes and fatigue are just a part of ageing; find a provider willing to help. Theramex UK believe that menopause should be prioritised as a health issue and should therefore be taken seriously as a population health issue, not just a women's health issue or an inevitable life stage. Driving menopause up the health agenda and ensuring healthcare professionals and patients can access the menopause education and treatment they need remains a high priority.
• Explore Workplace Flexibility: Modifying work hours or allowing remote work can make a significant difference in retaining talented employees. Speak with your employer, HR, and colleagues before considering leaving your job.

• Normalise the Conversation: Just as we'd encourage someone with a physical ailment to seek medical help, it's essential to normalise seeking help for menopause. Campaign groups such as Menopause Mandate are leading the way for change with an ultimate goal to revolutionise the support and advice women receive from both the health service and wider society.

Looking after menstrual and menopausal health is key to encouraging longer and more fulfilling work lives, which is why 英国标准协会 , the UK’s national standards body, has published the world first, free standard #BS 30416 . Having sought expertise from both sides of the equation, from HR, health and safety officers and managers to consultants, charities and unions, the standard signposts free resources available to help SMEs establish a policy and practical implementation ideas with little or no budget. Offering guidance for all companies, it aims to help businesses support women’s health needs throughout their working lives and to make work environment adjustments to benefit all.

Anne Hayes , BSI's Director of Sectors says “Now is the time that businesses want to make sure they are not losing their talent and encourage women to stay and progress to more senior leadership roles. Society will benefit if we enable them with a supportive environment.”?

Women are increasingly sharing their menopause experiences, and studies are shedding light on its widespread impact on the workplace. The stigma surrounding menopause is slowly dissolving, paving the way for more equitable workplaces. By addressing this once-taboo topic, we can create a supportive work environment for women at all stages of life, ensuring they have the resources and understanding they need.

This isn't just for us but also for our daughters and future generations of women. A topic our Co-Chair Mariella feels incredibly passionate about. A stage every single woman will go through yet so misunderstood. Mariella has campaigned tirelessly over the past 5 years to raise awareness of the menopause and she won’t stop until there’s change.?

Losing midlife women from your workforce can have a dramatic effect on your bottom line.?The hidden costs of the menopause affect both the company and employees, but people leaders are well-positioned to mitigate these negative effects. UK Parliament state productivity losses from the menopause in the UK top ￡1.8 billion per year. Designing a workplace that truly supports and empowers employees in this phase of life can help reduce menopause stigma, boost productivity, and foster a more inclusive work environment.?

Individuals, organisations, and society all stand to gain from tackling the departure of women. Ultimately, it is an opportunity to boost growth and innovation and accelerate progress towards a sustainable world.

We are delighted that Elaine Banton , Barrister at 7BR Chambers, joined the WiW Digital Channel on World Menopause Day earlier this week. Elaine is an experienced, highly regarded barrister practising across the whole range of employment, equality and discrimination law matters appearing regularly at all levels of tribunals and courts including the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Elaine represented Ms Roony at the Ms M Rooney v Leicester City Council: Employment Tribunal. Rooney initiated legal action against Leicester City Council in the first tribunal case to consider menopause symptoms as a disability. She claimed she was discriminated against, harassed and victimised by the council on disability grounds. With the case concluded just this week, Elaine talked through the key issues in terms of the law and how menopause should be handled in the workplace from a legal perspective

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:

“Menopause symptoms can significantly affect someone’s ability to work. Employers have a responsibility to support employees going through the menopause – it is to their benefit to do so, and the benefit of the wider workforce. Every employer should take note of this hearing.”

Let's continue to have these vital conversations and work towards a more inclusive and supportive workforce for all.? Full pass holders can access our digital platform here . To buy your digital pass to view this week's session with Elaine Banton plus all the other excellent content from the WiW Summit head to www.wiwsummit.com

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