Menopause is something that will affect every single woman, and can start as early as 35 and last dor decades! Therefore it's important that you make the right provisions to support your female workforce.
A survey by the Fawcett Society on 4,014 UK women aged 45-55 experiencing perimenopause or menopause at work revealed concerning findings:
1 in 10 women left jobs due to menopausal symptoms.
8 in 10 reported employers not providing information, training, or a menopause absence policy.
Nearly half had not consulted GPs, and 3 in 10 faced diagnosis delays.
Only 4 in 10 women were offered timely Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
A separate House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee survey found that 31% of women took time off work due to menopausal symptoms, impacting their work ability:
72% felt less able to concentrate.
70% felt more stressed.
67% felt less confident.
48% felt less patient.
34% felt less physically able.
Over 900,000 UK women left jobs due to menopause-related challenges, indicating a significant loss of skills. Raising awareness and providing information can reduce this number.
For those struggling at work, the survey showed that only 8% felt unaffected, and less than a third shared their struggles due to concerns about privacy and reactions. Those who confided in peers felt more supported. Only 11% requested adjustments, but those who did found them helpful.
Employers have a duty to protect employees' health, so formally raising the matter with HR or a trusted manager is crucial for obtaining support and reasonable adjustments.
If you would like any help with Menopause at Work - get in touch and we'd love to see if we can help you.
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