International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress, but more importantly, it’s a call to action. This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, is the perfect opportunity to push beyond conversations and move toward real, lasting change – especially when it comes to menopause and menstruation in the workplace.
We talk a lot about equality, but what we need is equity. Equality assumes that everyone needs the same support. Equity recognises that people have different needs and ensures they get the right support at the right time. And when it comes to menopause, this distinction is crucial.
Menopause isn’t just a personal health matter; it’s a business issue. Most workplaces will likely have employees who are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, whether openly or in silence. Hot flushes in board meetings, brain fog during presentations, exhaustion after a night of broken sleep – it all impacts performance, confidence, and career progression.
And yet, too many companies still don’t have policies or practices in place to acknowledge or support employees. This isn’t just unfair – it’s bad for business. Ignoring menopause leads to talent loss, increased absenteeism, and a workplace culture that pushes experienced professionals out just when they should be thriving.
Beyond Awareness: It’s Time for Action
We’ve raised awareness. Now, we need action. That means a strategy:
- Menopause-Inclusive Policies: A robust menopause policy isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s an essential part of any forward-thinking business.
- Workplace Adjustments: Temperature control, menstrual products, and access to supportive benefits such as coaching can make a huge difference.
- Education for All: Menopause isn’t just a ‘women’s issue.’ Everyone – from line managers to HR – needs to understand its impact and how to offer support.
Start Here
If you’re a leader, a manager, or someone experiencing menopause yourself, now is the time to push for change. A great place to start? Find out if your workplace is Menopause Friendly by taking my quiz to assess where your organisation stands and get actionable insights. Take the quiz here.
This International Women’s Day, let’s do more than talk. Let’s accelerate action and make menopause-inclusive workplaces the norm – not the exception.
Jo Fuller – Leadership Coach and Menopause and Menstruation Expert
Founder of www.themerrymenopause.com
