A recent BBC article shone a spotlight on menopause discrimination, highlighting the new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) stating that debilitating symptoms may constitute a disability. Failing to provide workplace accommodations could prompt legal action under existing equality laws. The report asserted that one in 10 women was forced to leave their jobs due to menopausal side effects such as hot flushes, insomnia, and memory problems. Two-thirds disclosed specifically negative professional impacts, yet few felt safe requesting adjustments.
The article raises valid points about expanding organisational obligations. But we believe that rather than reacting out of pure litigation concerns, leaders should approach this issue as an ethical requirement to support talented female staff during a sensitive life transition that affects not just individuals, but often partners, families and colleagues as well. Beyond bare minimum adjustments, proactive assistance demonstrates genuine care for talent retention and whole person wellbeing.
The necessity of understanding
An estimated 13 million British women are either peri or menopausal. That is the equivalent of a third of the entire UK female population. Up to 80% experience physical or psychological symptoms that interfere with habitual functioning, including hot flushes, crushing fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, and mood instability and can last several years. Consequently, about 10% opt to leave positions outright. The costs of losing skilled talent and hiring replacements add up exponentially. Mitigation starts with a nuanced understanding of menopause’s impacts.
Arm managers and teams with insights
Leaders must equip front-line managers and wider teams with practical insights on recognising the symptoms and making reasonable adjustments to minimise unnecessary disruption and explicit or implicit judgment. Whether adjustments to clothing rules, flexible scheduling, remote workdays or designated respite spaces. Small gestures signal safety and support during a transition, touching more than just the women experiencing it directly. Menopause training and workshops build safe, open dialogue and reduce the stigma of a still sensitive, sometimes taboo subject. Psychological safety enhances engagement and trust for everyone – not just women.
Tailor support to individual needs
Of course, a one-size-fits-all approach fails to reflect the diverse physical, social and emotional impacts of menopause. Some women sail through menopause’s choppy waters, while others battle relentlessly to stay afloat amid crashing waves of anxiety, body image issues, and couple or family tension compounded by hormonal upheaval. Customised assistance like menopause coaching referrals and stress management services enable the right care at the right time. Broad wellbeing emphasis on self-care and building resilience also empowers employees.
Emphasise holistic wellbeing
Broader wellbeing programs emphasising self-care, healthy coping strategies, stress relief techniques and nutrition can help stabilise moods and enhance resilience. Workgroups openly discussing wellbeing concerns make sharing experiences and talking openly less intimidating. Creative support like self-care days, onsite meditation sessions or even discounted fitness trackers can enhance support further. The surroundings and culture we create shape how people navigate change.
The wise lead with empathy first
Rising legal responsibilities definitely motivate modern organisations to address outdated attitudes regarding “women’s troubles.” But durable culture change requires sincerity – not just compliance. Environments where people feel safe disclosing health and wellbeing challenges allow policies to catch up to empathetic precedents. Care for people first and they will excel.
Workplaces wishing to attract and retain brilliant female contributors they claim to value so highly must emit understanding from their core outward. Skilful leaders don’t reluctantly extend menopause support upon threat of liability – they proactively develop trusting environments where all employees feel safe disclosing challenges that so profoundly touch mental, emotional and physical health.
They don’t deprive talent from realising their potential due to circumstances utterly out of their control. Ethics precede obligations. People will only thrive if they are consistently assured that they matter.
Your menopause support allies
Of course, enacting such holistic support requires nuance, sincerity and commitment over simple compliance. The Thrive Team partners with organisations to bring menopause education, supportive training and pragmatic guidance to the fore.
Our menopause coaches also work directly with women navigating menopause, empowering them to retain vocational fulfilment during trying times of transition. Support takes many forms when people lead with care first.
Reach out today to explore options customised for your culture and employees’ unique needs.
