Menopause Support in the Workplace

Published

Oct 28, 2024

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October marks Menopause Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, understanding, and support for women experiencing menopause. While menopause is a natural phase of life, it often brings about significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Recognising the importance of support, we reached out to some of our male colleagues to learn how they feel about supporting women through menopause, both personally and professionally.

How comfortable do you feel discussing menopause with your female colleagues or loved ones? What could help improve this comfort level?

I’m fine discussing menopause at work or at home.  It’s part of our lives whether we like it or not, so no sense in shying away from it.  The more we understand the impact, the better it is for us to manage, make necessary allowances and get on with things.

Jonathan Whitworth – Head of Account Management

Very comfortable, I have been through multiple menopause awareness training sessions both internally and externally which have helped educate and develop my knowledge on the impact and potential symptoms of the menopause. I also have a partner and 2 daughters, as well as a mother who is currently going through the menopause.

Josh Holling – Functional Health Consultant

I do feel comfortable discussing this topic. I am fortunate to have some very strong female role models in my life who have, and are experiencing the menopause. Knowing how this can affect a person’s ability to do their job, we must create an environment where we can openly discuss this. As with many other conditions, we have to ask the right questions and listen to the answers.

James Murray – Chief Executive Officer

What support do you think the workplace can offer to women going through menopause?

I think it’s wider than just offering females support. I am a firm believer in all people having support and education made available to them. I’ve had some training and it’s given me a better understanding of the wide range of symptoms and how they can impact someone. Improving understanding within the business helps improve tolerance and can yield new support pathways and even changes to policies.

Jonathan Whitworth – Head of Account Management

Do you know about the wide range of symptoms that menopause can cause, beyond just hot flushes and mood swings?

Yes, it’s amazing how many symptoms that can be attributable to menopause. Some are far more debilitating than others and not often talked about (above hushed tones).

Jonathan Whitworth – Head of Account Management

From the training I believe there are roughly 50 different symptoms that a person can experience, these will differ from person to person, it isn’t the one size fits all. Hearing loss or Tinnitus can be a symptom.

Josh Holling – Functional Health Consultant

In your opinion, why is it important for men to be informed about menopause, especially in professional environments?

Teams function well when people are informed and supportive. Having an appreciation and consideration for your team members when experiencing issues with menopause is as important as the support and flexibility we’ve all placed on mental health issues over the recent past.

Jonathan Whitworth – Head of Account Management

Menopause will impact every woman and does not discriminate, therefore it will likely impact every man. More awareness and education will lead to more empathy and understanding which should lead to a more positive and productive workplace for all.

Josh Holling – Functional Health Consultant

 

How would you feel if menopause was openly discussed in your workplace? What could that look like?

I think visibility is a good thing, ensuring everyone understands where they can go to discuss an issue that impacts them or their team. We’ve put a lot of focus on mental health champions and made vast amounts of material available to support people’s mental health and I don’t see this being very different. Having some material online that people can browse confidentially and privately, right through to champions and a network that is there to offer some compassionate guidance and show people this is far more common than people would have you think.

Jonathan Whitworth – Head of Account Management

It should be discussed in the workplace, it’s a part of life and therefore is a part of the workplace. It is about helping the individual manage the symptoms how they need to and open and honest discussion will help alleviate some of the taboo and stigma.

Josh Holling – Functional Health Consultant

How do you think raising awareness about menopause could improve workplace culture for everyone?

It is so important that we feel able to discuss these life-changing conditions and, in particular, how we can adapt to help both the person experiencing menopause and the business to ensure that both continue to thrive

James Murray – Chief Executive Officer