Study shows only 31% of women feel comfortable talking about menopause at work

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) today released findings and insights from the Employee Perspectives and Challenges Concerning the Transition of Menopause (EMPACT Menopause) Study, which aims to provide insights to better understand the workplace experiences of menopause, for individuals who have entered or completed the menopause transition as well as their coworkers and employers.?

With women between the ages of 25 and 54 making up over 75% of the labor workforce ?in the United States according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , it is critical to discuss women’s health experiences, including the menopause transition, in the context of workplace engagement.?

Highlights from the EMPACT Menopause Study include:?

• 38% of respondents experienced presenteeism due to the impacts of menopause symptoms on their work life.?
• 2 out of 5 women considered finding or found a new job due to their menopause symptoms or experience.?
• Only 31% of women reported feeling comfortable talking about their menopause symptoms or experiences at work.
• 1 out of 6 supervisors indicated being uncomfortable setting up accommodations to address their employees’ menopause symptoms at work.

This bulletin is based on findings from the Understanding the Impact of Menopause on the Workplace Survey conducted by SWHR in 2023. The EMPACT Menopause Study builds on SWHR’s ongoing work in the menopause space. Stay tuned this spring, when SWHR will release additional menopause at work resources, created for both individuals experiencing menopause and their employers and human resources teams

The full version of this article appeared on SWHR's website blog. Click here to read the full blog post.