Supporting employees through menopause
Blog written by Nicky Piper, Chief Nursing Officer at Medigold Health.
In this blog, I wanted to get stuck into something we really need to be talking about more at work, which is menopause.
I’ve been through it myself, and let me tell you, it’s no walk in the park. One minute you’re absolutely fine, the next you’re boiling from the inside out or forgetting what you walked into a room for. And don’t get me started on the sleep, or rather lack of it! The thing is, loads of women are dealing with this every day while also trying to get on with their jobs, and most of the time, no one even knows it’s happening.
In the UK, there are around 13 million people going through peri- or post-menopause. That’s a massive part of the working population. And yet, it’s still something we tiptoe around. I’ve spoken to so many women who’ve felt like they had to just power through in silence. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can do better – for them and for the businesses that rely on them.
So, what does menopause actually involve?
Believe it or not, menopause isn’t just hot flushes. It usually starts in your 40s or 50s (sometimes earlier), and symptoms can last for years. They can include night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, joint pain, brain fog and serious fatigue. It’s also different for everyone; some people breeze through, others feel like they’ve been hit by a bus. There’s no one-size-fits-all, which is exactly why businesses need to be flexible and understanding.
What can employers actually do to help?
Most working women aged 40 to 60 have experienced symptoms related to the menopause transition, and unfortunately, over half have been unable to go into work at some point due to their symptoms.
Workplace support can make a considerable difference here, but shockingly only a quarter of women say their organisation has a menopause policy or other support in place.
So, this begs the question: What can employers actually do to help their employees?
Create a menopause policy
If you haven’t already, now’s the time to put a proper menopause policy in place. It doesn’t need to be pages long or full of fancy jargon. Just something clear and supportive that outlines what help is available, what adjustments can be made, and who someone can speak to. It shows you’re taking this seriously, and that really matters.
Start talking about it
Honestly, just making menopause a normal topic at work is a game changer. Whether it’s putting it on the agenda for wellbeing chats or just checking in with someone who might be struggling, it makes people feel seen, not side-lined.
Be flexible
Being sleep-deprived and having a hot flush on the train at 7am isn’t pleasant. A bit of flexible working (later start times, hybrid working, even the odd duvet day) can help someone manage their symptoms without burning out.
Support healthy changes
Stress makes symptoms worse, so anything you can do to help people manage it better will help. This could include promoting lunchtime walks, encouraging proper breaks, or just making sure workloads are manageable.
Adjust the workload when needed
Some days, menopause can make even the simplest task feel overwhelming. Being open to temporarily adjusting responsibilities can really help.
Share resources
There’s loads of good information out there (such as our Menopause at work training courses, and my free webinars) but not everyone knows where to look. Sharing articles, links, podcasts, webinars, whatever information you’ve got, will help people feel informed and less alone in it all.
Make sure they know what support’s available
If you’ve got an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), shout about it! It’s amazing how many people don’t realise they can get support through work. Whether it’s counselling, advice lines or just someone to talk to – it’s all useful.
Be kind
Empathy is everything. You don’t have to understand exactly what someone’s going through to be supportive. Just being patient, listening, and showing a bit of humanity goes a long way.
Make it a regular conversation
Menopause is something nearly all women go through, and it doesn’t have to be something they struggle through alone.
If you want to create a more supportive culture around menopause in the workplace and find better ways to support your teams, we’re here to help!
Download our Menopause at work course leaflet to see how we can help you. Alternatively, get in touch with us here.
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