Menopause at Work: Why Gender Equality Needs Men to Step Up

Today is World Menopause Day. And while this might not be the first topic you'd expect from me, it’s a crucial conversation we need to have. Women’s cycles—menstruation and menopause—are still mostly avoided at work. But if we're serious about gender equality, we must start addressing these issues head-on.

The Problem: Ignoring Half the Workforce

Menopause and menstruation impact women’s physical, emotional, and professional well-being. But here’s the thing: only 1 in 12 women feel comfortable talking to their manager about menopause (RTE). This isn’t just a health issue—it’s about fairness and equality in the workplace. By not acknowledging women’s cycles, we’re inadvertently holding women back, adding to the stress and isolation many already feel.

When my wife entered perimenopause, we were stunned at how little information was out there. This isn't something most people—even women—are well-educated about. Bringing up menstruation in a team meeting felt awkward, even with an open-minded group. That awkwardness is exactly what we need to overcome.

Why Men Need to Get Involved

If you’re a male leader and thinking, “This isn’t my issue,” think again. Gender equality means creating a supportive environment for everyone—not just hiring more women. Loretta Dignam , founder of The Menopause Hub, emphasized in her Great Place to Work? Ireland podcast that men play a pivotal role in breaking the silence around women’s health. This is about ensuring every employee, regardless of gender, has the support they need to succeed.

If women are forced to hide their symptoms or avoid conversations with their managers, we’re missing the mark on inclusion.

Concrete Actions Companies Can Take

The good news? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make your workplace more inclusive. Here’s how you can start:

1. Train Your Leaders: Give your managers training on women’s health, particularly around menstruation and menopause. Knowledge is empowerment and The Independent highlights that this gap in education is holding women back in the workplace.
2. Encourage Open Conversations: Normalize talking about women’s cycles—menstruation and menopause—at work. When it becomes part of everyday conversations, the stigma dissolves.
3. Offer Flexibility: Create policies that allow for flexibility, like remote work or adjusted hours, to accommodate women managing symptoms. Vodafone has implemented quiet spaces and flexible working options as part of their menopause policy(vodafone-menopause-tool…).
4. Health Coverage Matters: Ensure that menopause care is included in your company’s health plans. It’s an essential, not a luxury.
5. Build Support Networks: Implement initiatives like Vodafone’s Cycles of Life network, where employees can share their experiences, connect with peers, and access resources. This can significantly change how supported employees feel(vodafone-menopause-tool…).

Gender Equality Isn’t Just a Buzzword

Let’s be honest: we can’t achieve true gender equality if we leave half the workforce feeling unsupported. Men, especially leaders, need to be part of the solution. By educating ourselves, starting conversations, and implementing real, actionable changes, we can create workplaces where women feel empowered, not hindered, by their natural cycles.

The next time you hear someone talking about periods or menopause at work, don’t brush it off. Engage. It’s only when we start to normalize these conversations that we’ll move closer to genuine equality.

• How does your workplace address women’s health, and what changes would you like to see?
• Men, have you ever felt unsure about how to support your female colleagues? What steps are you taking to learn more?
• Women, what’s one thing that would make you feel more supported at work during menstruation or menopause?

#WorldMenopauseDay #GenderEquality #InclusiveWorkplace #WomenAtWork #MenopauseAwareness #WorkplaceWellbeing #Leadership #SupportWomen

Disclaimer: This article was crafted with the brilliant help of my AI assistant, who never takes coffee breaks, doesn’t get tired of my questions, and definitely doesn’t get awkward when we talk about periods. So if you found this helpful (or hilariously unexpected), feel free to thank my virtual buddy! ??