Menopause. It’s a hot topic nowadays, thanks to high-profile celebrity campaigns raising awareness of this often overlooked and misunderstood condition.
Despite a whirl of media coverage, many workplaces still don’t offer sufficient support to women experiencing this massive health shift. In this blog, we’ll delve into the importance of supporting women at work experiencing menopause and the role of employers. You’ll also learn how Prestige Private Health can benefit you and your employees through menopause advice, onsite GP appointments and occupational health assessments.
The menopause exodus at work: The financial costs are high
A survey by the British Menopause Society found that 25% of women considered leaving their jobs due to menopause symptoms. Due to a lack of workplace healthcare provision, many women experiencing menopause often leave employment because they don’t feel supported – and the financial cost of replacing staff is huge, not to mention the loss of capable and hardworking employees.
You can avoid recruitment and training costs by looking after your current employees, especially those going through menopause. Putting extra measures in place, such as workplace healthcare provision and an onsite GP service, means you will retain valuable staff rather than lose them.
Many women try to hide their symptoms at work as they are embarrassed about being seen as incapable. Menopause is a personal journey, and women are reluctant to share with others if they feel low, depressed or anxious. They instead take time off, and their work suffers, impacting the business.
The lack of menopause support at work
In the UK, over 4.5 million women aged 50-64 are in the workforce. And most of them are likely experiencing menopause, with some starting as young as 45.
While menopause is a normal part of life, it’s challenging and sometimes debilitating and may impact a woman’s ability to perform her job effectively. Women often receive little or no support at work, as menopause is still seen as taboo or delicate, but thankfully attitudes are slowly changing.
Stats from the British Menopause Society reported that 47% of women felt they couldn’t ask their employer for a day off due to symptoms, whilst 45% said their symptoms negatively impacted their performance.
You can support women at work by making changes so they feel comfortable and cared for.
How to make your workplace menopause friendly
Awareness training with senior management and HR is crucial so they can help those experiencing menopause. We encourage you to discuss general well-being at work, but avoid mentioning menopause until prompted – people often feel uncomfortable discussing it, so wait until they are ready.
Menopause Matters is a UK organisation which provides evidence-based information and support to women and healthcare professionals. Its founder, Dr Heather Currie, said, “By fostering a menopause-friendly work environment, we can help women navigate this natural transition with confidence and continue to contribute effectively to their roles.”
Menopause symptoms include a lack of focus, often described as ‘brain fog’, so implementing technical changes such as calendar reminders and time blocking will help your employee effectively carry out their job and increase their productivity.
Offering a menopause-friendly uniform and allowing employees to move to cooler parts of the office are vital options in helping women cope with hot flushes. Putting in place increased flexible working options helps improve productivity, well-being, and comfort.
We carry out your workplace occupational health assessments
At Prestige Private Health, we’re experts in occupational health; our joint founder, Dr Nash, is a Faculty of Occupational Medicine member. He regularly assesses workplaces and individual roles to see if they are menopause-friendly, recommending tailored adjustments to improve provision and working lives.
For example, would it make a person’s job easier if they could take frequent toilet breaks? What about uniforms? Does the material cause sweating? If so, what are the alternatives? An occupational health assessment also looks at workplace temperature, the provision of quiet and relaxing spaces and toilet facilities, plus a host of other factors.
Employer responsibility and the law
As an employer, you have a legal and moral obligation to support your female employees through menopause – and we can help you do that.
The Equality Act 2010 states that it’s unlawful to discriminate against women due to their menopausal status. This means employers must make reasonable changes to accommodate women’s needs, just as they would for any other medical condition. This includes giving flexibility in working hours, adapting workplace temperatures, and offering private spaces for rest.
Jane Lewis, founder of the charity Menopause Support, points out, “Employers must recognise that a supportive approach to menopause not only benefits women but also the overall workplace environment. A happy, healthy, and motivated workforce is essential for business success.”
How does Prestige Private Health support employees AND employers?
As a workplace healthcare provider, we offer comprehensive health and well-being services for people at work, including a range of support for employees experiencing menopause, plus business owners, senior leaders and HR teams.
Menopause education and training: We host menopause training sessions within your workplace. Training is essential if you’re committed to increasing the knowledge of senior leaders, both men and women, at work.
Onsite GP service: All our healthcare packages include face-to-face and video appointments, which saves time, costs and inconvenience. Employees can access the help they need during work hours, minimising disruption.
HRT prescriptions: Patients can discuss Hormone Replacement Therapy options (HRT) with us, and we also write prescriptions. We review alternative options, such as talking therapies, and refer to relevant, trusted professionals if applicable.
Comprehensive well-being programmes: Prestige Private Health can assist in creating wellness programmes that address the specific needs of women going through menopause. These programmes can include subjects such as stress management, dietary advice, and exercise regimes tailored to ease menopausal symptoms and the needs of your employees.
Want to increase menopause support in your workplace?
Let’s talk about the ways Prestige Private Health can help your employees! Contact us on 0330 133 5944 or email info@prestigeprivatehealth.co.uk for further information.