The Untold Impact of Menopause

Menopause in the workplace is no longer an issue we can afford to overlook. With nearly 1 million women in the UK having left their jobs due to menopause-related challenges, the ripple effects extend far beyond individual lives - impacting workplace productivity, diversity, and the wider economy. My new whitepaper, "Menopause At Work: The Untold Impact" is a call to action for corporate leaders, HR professionals, and decision-makers who recognise the importance of creating inclusive workplaces where women can thrive. (1)

Why this matters to your organisation

Menopause symptoms such as brain fog, sleeplessness, and anxiety don’t just affect individual employees; they disrupt team dynamics, reduce productivity, and increase absenteeism and turnover. The financial toll is significant. Replacing experienced staff is costly, and unaddressed health issues lead to presenteeism - when employees are at work but unable to perform at their best. Moreover, failing to support women through menopause risks reputational damage and undermines your diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Insights from real women

My whitepaper is grounded in research and real-life stories from professional women across a wide range of industries. Their experiences reveal a consistent narrative: isolation, diminished confidence, and career stagnation, all exacerbated by unsupportive workplace cultures. One participant shared how she struggled in silence, fearing her symptoms would be misunderstood or dismissed. Another told how she became so afraid to attend meetings because her inability to remember information made her feel incompetent and of no value. These accounts underscore the urgent need for workplaces to step up.

What the research shows

Key findings highlight the scale of the issue:

• Lack of awareness: 90% of ?women have never been taught about the menopause at school. (2)
• High prevalence of symptoms: More than 67% of menopausal women experience symptoms that impact their work. (3)
• Lost potential: Women in their 40s and 50s are often at the peak of their careers, yet many feel forced to scale back or step away entirely.
• Cost to organisations: Absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover are direct consequences of ignoring menopause in the workplace.

The case for change: Swim England’s story

Swim England provides a compelling example of what’s possible. Led by their Head of People Development Tracy Lowe-Sheppard, they last year launched an ongoing commitment to make menopause a part of their organisational and team culture. By implementing menopause awareness training, creating open lines of communication, and offering practical adjustments, they are fostering a culture of support. The initial results speak for themselves: increased employee satisfaction, improved retention rates, and a stronger reputation as an employer of choice. All key measurables that matter to a businesses profitability, productivity and reputation. This case study shared in the paper demonstrates that meaningful change is achievable when organisations prioritise education and proactive solutions.

How this whitepaper can help

"Menopause At Work: The Untold Impact" is designed to be a practical resource for organisations. It includes:

• Key statistics to inform your strategy.
• An information source that collates the largest and most important global research to date.
• Real-life insights that bring the issue to life.
• A blueprint for creating a menopause-supportive workplace.

Your next steps

I encourage you to:

1. Download the whitepaper and use it as a starting point for discussions with your leadership and HR teams.
2. Evaluate your organisation’s current policies and practices related to menopause.
3. Schedule a consultation call with me to explore how we can create tailored solutions for your workplace.

Together, we can ensure that no woman feels forced to choose between her health and her career. By taking proactive steps, your organisation will not only retain invaluable talent but also lead the way in fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Download the whitepaper for free HERE

Information sources referenced:

(1) - 2022 Fawcett Society, Menopause and the Workplace report https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/menopauseandtheworkplace

(2) - PubMed - 2022 survey of perimenopausal women to determine their attitudes and knowledge of the menopause https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35758176/

(3) - Oct 2023, CIPD Report https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/reports/menopause-workplace-experiences/

Nicola Farndell is a women's health and menopause expert helping professional midlife women build sustainable healthy habits to thrive through and beyond menopause. Working with corporate organisations to support and empower their teams to know the value of their health Nicola provides training, speaking, coaching and consulting services.

Find out more about Nicola and the services provide by Life Now Coaching here