Over the years, strides have been taken to address gender equality in the workforce. This is an important societal cause and it is absolutely crucial for an industry dealing with skills gaps. Fostering a more inclusive and supportive workplace will help to improve retention and progression of talent and ultimately, drive innovation and productivity.
Women are a critical and indispensable part of our workforce. But the gender imbalance, particularly in senior roles, remains. To address this, we need to understand what stops women from remaining and progressing in work, be it organisational, societal and personal barriers – and one such barrier is the menopause.
Our research shows that many women consider leaving their roles or are less likely to apply for promotion because of the menopause. Normalising conversations around menopause in the workplace is an essential step in response to this. Increasing awareness and supporting menopause transition will help retain and progress key talent and improve representation of women at all levels, including the highest levels in an organisation.
We are making changes, and encourage others do to – creating an environment which supports the inclusion and wellbeing of all employees. One of the first steps we can all take is demystifying and destigmatising the experience of menopause in the workplace.
Our research sheds light on the reality of menopause symptoms, the impact on wellbeing and career progression and provides many practical recommendations so that employers can equip all employees to have a more positive and informed dialogue about menopause.