Menopause; a part of women’s lives that has previously been an uncomfortable topic of discussion. Thanks to modern shifts such as social media, the taboo of talking about menopause is slowly being broken, and it’s now an aspect of women’s health we can discuss more openly in order to spread awareness.
Friday 18th October marks World Menopause Day, an event dedicated to driving menopause awareness and bringing the conversation of women’s health in later life to the forefront. As the self-proclaimed experts of retirement advice, we think it’s essential to shed light on such an important life event that will affect many of our clients during their retirement years and employees potentially during their careers. In the workforce, it is believed that menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic, making it more crucial than ever to make sure there is plenty of awareness on the subject.
Why it’s important to be aware
Menopause is a natural part of life that occurs in women, typically over the age of 40, around the world. Symptoms can range from minor menstrual changes to strong feelings of anxiety to extensive physical pain and hot flashes. While many believe menopause to be a short-term occurrence, some symptoms can last years and can heavily impact day-to-day life.
With it being such a potentially vulnerable time, it’s vital that women experiencing this have a comfortable and positive environment in which to work. Failure to do this can have detrimental effects on a woman’s physical, mental and social well-being, as well as have negative implications for their work productivity.
Many women struggling with menopausal symptoms in the workplace may see no other choice but to leave their respective roles. Research has found that 1 in 4 women consider quitting work due to side effects of menopausal symptoms, and a further 46% will not disclose symptoms due to the worry that they may be perceived negatively.
Making sure support is on hand
At My Pension Expert, we aim to support our colleagues approaching or experiencing menopause as much as we can so that they can continue living their lives to the fullest without any fear of voicing their struggles. In addition to our appointed Mental Health First Aiders, we have colleagues in our office who are Menopause Workplace trained. This means that our trained staff, Marketing Executive Natalie Rowe and HR Director Bernie Dunlop, have all the expertise and knowledge needed to ensure help is on hand for colleagues approaching or struggling with menopause. Such training includes an in-depth look into the symptoms menopause carries and how they can make individuals feel, in addition to how it can affect them in the workplace. As a result, Bernie and Natalie can offer support on a subject that shouldn’t be taboo to our female colleagues who require it.
What can I do?
Acknowledging menopause and the effects it can have in the workplace is one element of driving an inclusive culture. For companies that support menopausal women, this might mean making reasonable adjustments, such as providing a desktop fan, allowing alternate uniform or allowing flexible learning.
Beyond direct adjustments to the workplace itself, even offering trusted figures to talk to can be a support tool for women struggling with menopause.
For more information on providing support and spreading awareness, visit International Menopause Day 2024.