When Menopause Comes to Work

World Menopause Day is an opportunity to bring menopause into the spotlight and address a reality that remains largely overlooked in many workplaces. Although it is a natural part of many women’s lives, perimenopause and menopause are still surrounded by silence and stigma.

Talking about menopause is also about inclusion, talent retention and productivity.

The transition to menopause is different for every woman. Symptoms and their severity vary and may include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes and other physical discomforts.

The challenge arises when these symptoms affect women in the workplace. Asking for help or talking openly about what they are experiencing is not always easy. As a result, many women choose to mask their symptoms and carry on with their working day.

What can employers do?

Creating an environment where menopause can be discussed does not mean turning the workplace into a space where personal lives are exposed. Quite the opposite: it means fostering a culture built on trust and empathy, where a woman can say, “I don’t feel comfortable in this room” or “I need to take a break” without worrying that these needs will be perceived as a lack of commitment.

Not every solution requires new policies or significant investment. Often, small changes in everyday working practices can make a meaningful difference.

Information and awareness are a good place to start. The more openly menopause is discussed, the easier it becomes to recognise that every experience is diferente.

Temperature and climate control, for example, can be particularly important for women experiencing hot flashes. Where possible, allowing some flexibility in choosing where to work can be a simple yet effective measure.

And access to specialised support, particularly psychological support, should be part of a company’s wider approach to employee wellbeing.

Ultimately, talking about menopause in the workplace is about people. Creating an environment where this topic can be discussed respectfully and without judgement is an important step towards building workplaces that are more inclusive, more human and more responsive to the different stages of life.

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