Three in five (60 per cent) FTSE 100 companies have failed to publish menopause policies, according to new research.

The study, highlights that workplaces still have a long way to go in their support of women at work – particularly as they age – with the negative impact of this dearth in help hitting both employers and their employees.

According to recent research by the British Menopause Society, 10 per cent of women leave work as a result of menopause, while Health & Her stats revealed 15 per cent of women have called in sick because of menopausal symptoms. In addition, another OnePoll study found that 6 per cent of women have skipped work meetings to deal with their menopausal symptoms.

The ball is now firmly in the government’s court to break menopause taboos

In fact, Censuswide and ONS data showed that perimenopause and menopause are costing UK businesses 14 million working days per year, equating to £1.8bn in lost productivity.

While a cross-party group of MPs recently called on the government to mandate employers to provide reasonable adjustments for employees going through menopause, nearly two-thirds of FTSE 100 companies have not put policies in place. 

If the level of support in some of the biggest corporations is this poor, what does the support look like in smaller companies across the UK?

A 2019 survey from the CIPD found that three in five menopausal women, usually aged between 45 and 55, were negatively affected at work because of menopause symptoms – there was increased insight into what a lack of menopause policy can mean for businesses.

A 2021 parliamentary inquiry into menopause and the workplace found that lack of support around menopause means women were often leaving employment at the peak of their experience, impacting productivity and senior leadership diversity while also exacerbating the gender pay gap.

What’s needed to support HR teams implementing menopause change?

To forestall these negative outcomes, Danielle Harmer, chief people officer at Aviva, said all organisations should start to break the taboos around menopause and start to reshape how it is viewed within the business: “Every organisation can help break the taboo around menopause. It’s not just an issue for women – it impacts everyone.

“Find role models – not just women – to share stories. Create spaces for people to share experiences and support each other. Partner with an organisation that specialises in menopause support. And finally, educate leaders. What businesses do doesn’t have to cost the earth. The most important thing is open, stigma-free communications and caring, pragmatic support.”

Fiona McKay, CEO and founder of The Menopause Maze™ and a renowned menopause coach has a very clear view on the reality of corporate culture and their unwillingness to change to retain mid-life menopausal women. She says:

"Fundamentally the real issue in companies is their inability to value mid-life female talent and their unwillingness to invest in robust tools that advance opportunities for women and workplaces.  They want to tick boxes not provide tools and they do so at their own peril.  In the next 5 years they will be looking back in horror bemoaning that they should have invested and paid more attention to incorporating menopause in long term human capital strategies than panic buying symptoms sessions.'

What interventions will change the workplace for women?

For HR teams looking to improve menopause support at their organisation who want to partner with a world-class organisation with evidence based methods that move the dial on menopause acceleration, then look no further, a professional menopause coach is the answer.

The Menopause Maze™ is the partner of choice for ambitious HR leaders putting menopause as a central human capital opportunity in their business, growth, inclusion and ESG strategies.

WHAT DOES THE MENOPAUSE MAZE DELIVER?

If you are an employer then The Menopause Maze ™ method is a game changer for your workplace. 

Here's what the programme includes:

Diagnostics: We provide a comprehensive diagnostic toolkit to assess how menopause is impacting your woman and menopause in the workplace.

Development: Our bespoke development programmes help organisations unleash the potential of senior women and equip line managers with new conversation and feedback methods from our evidence based research. 

Career Coaching: Access for senior women to our world-class career coaches, anytime, anywhere with our online coaching programme. 

Community: Tap into our exclusive membership community of senior women who are maximising their career opportunities in menopause whilst growing and leading their companies.

DO YOU WANT TO SKYROCKET YOUR D&I RETURNS?

The Menopause Maze ™ helps organisations unleash its biggest human capital opportunity by retaining and maintaining the careers of menopausal women and delivering exceptional growth, ESG and commercial returns.

Get in touch today and see how we can help you transform your culture and your commercials.