Let’s Talk About It: Midlife, Health, and Work

Why on earth would our company need a presentation on menopause awareness?

This was the response I received from a client recently when discussing the topics of my lunch and learns, followed by "we don't have any women in their 50's working for us"

The client was a male in his early 40's so I can't blame him for thinking this. If I'm being totally honest, I used to think Menopause was women in their 50's who had hot flushes.

Interesting Facts:-

• Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when most symptoms occur. It commonly starts around mid 40's.

• Seven years is the average length of time perimenopause will last, but it can last a lot longer.

• Menopause is when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period.

Even if menopause doesn't affect you directly, it is likely to affect you indirectly at some point. A wife, partner, employee, manager, colleague, mother, sister, or friend may be suffering, most likely in silence, with multiple symptoms. Some women won't even recognise that they are experiencing perimenopause symptoms as they don't expect to get them in their 40's or have never heard of perimenopause. Over 80% of women suffer from symptoms, 25% experience severe symptoms, and 29% suffer from depression during perimenopause/ menopause.

So why is menopause awareness important in the workplace?

Putting on my HR and commercial hat:

• Implementing small changes in the workplace can positively affect the well-being of women suffering from these symptoms.

• Menopause directly impacts a company's bottom line. The chart below shows that menopause negatively affects productivity, increases absenteeism, and leads to resignations, which results in the loss of valuable knowledge and the cost of replacing employees.

• It will help break the stigma and normalise the discussion in the workplace, contributing to a more inclusive environment. Menopause awareness is where mental health awareness was 10 years ago. Let's normalise something that affects 50% of the population.

• Your company will be seen as one that takes the health and safety of it's employees seriously, including equality.

• Menopause awareness and strategies will also benefit partners and managers. Dare I say, it might even improve things at home, leading to happier employees at work.

  Understanding the role of menopause in the workplace

Don’t stick your head in the sand….

Book a “male friendly” menopause awareness presentation for everyone in the workplace presentation today.