Creating a Menopause-Confident Workplace

A Culture Where People Want to Work and Thrive

This guide is designed to:

✅ Help individuals understand perimenopause and menopause and know where to seek help.

✅ Equip organisations with strategies to foster a menopause-friendly workplace.

✅ Encourage cultural change that supports employees and ensures companies retain experienced professionals.

Why Menopause Matters in the Workplace

The perimenopause and menopause impact millions of workers, leading to a significant loss of talent and productivity. In the UK alone, an estimated 14 million workdays are lost annually due to menopause-related symptoms.

Yet, many individuals don’t realise they are experiencing perimenopause—often attributing symptoms to stress, exhaustion, or general life pressures. Without the right information and support, employees suffer in silence, organisations lose experienced talent, and workplace productivity declines.

Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause

Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs and hormone levels (oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) fluctuate before eventually declining permanently.

Key Facts:

• Menopause is not an “older woman’s issue.” It can happen in the 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50s.

• Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, where symptoms begin due to fluctuating hormones.

• Symptoms can last years before and after menopause occurs.

• Surgical removal of the ovaries or certain medical treatments can cause an immediate onset of menopause.

• Low hormone levels increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.

• Menopause affects everyone—whether directly or indirectly—because we live, love, and work with those experiencing it.

Recognising Menopause Symptoms

The drop in hormones affects every system in the body, leading to a range of physical and psychological symptoms:

Physical Symptoms:

🔸 Hot flushes & night sweats🔸 Joint & muscle pain🔸 Headaches or migraines🔸 Palpitations & dizziness🔸 Hair thinning & skin changes🔸 Heavy, irregular, or absent periods🔸 Dry eyes, skin, and mouth🔸 Bladder issues (urgency, frequency)

Psychological Symptoms:

🔹 Anxiety, mood swings & depression🔹 Brain fog & memory lapses🔹 Fatigue & loss of motivation🔹 Paranoia & intrusive thoughts🔹 Reduced confidence & self-esteem🔹 Panic attacks & sleep disturbances

These symptoms can significantly impact work performance—leading to reduced productivity, increased absences, and even job resignations.

The Workplace Impact of Menopause

A major survey found that:

✅ 99% of women said menopause affected their work.

✅ 59% took time off due to symptoms.

✅ 21% avoided promotions due to menopause-related issues.

✅ 12% left their jobs because of lack of support.

Workplaces must step up to support employees and ensure no one feels forced to leave due to menopause.

Creating a Menopause-Confident Workplace

For Individuals: What Can You Do?

✔ Recognise your symptoms—track them to understand what’s happening.

✔ Speak up—talk to your employer, HR, or a trusted colleague about what support you need.

✔ Document workplace interactions—record conversations about menopause-related challenges.

✔ Know your rights—menopause-related symptoms may qualify as a disability under UK law, offering legal protections.

✔ Seek medical support—safe and effective treatments, including HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), lifestyle changes, and therapy, can help.

For Organisations: Building a Menopause-Supportive Culture

🏢 Implement a Menopause Policy—Outline clear support measures.

🎓 Provide Menopause Training—Educate managers and employees to break the stigma.

💬 Encourage Open Conversations—Foster an environment where menopause discussions are normalised.

👥 Appoint Menopause Champions—Create peer support networks.

🏡 Offer Flexible Working Options—Remote work, adjusted hours, and rest spaces can be game-changers.

💙 Introduce Workplace Adjustments—Temperature control, wellness baskets, and uniform flexibility can help ease symptoms.

Legal Protections for Employees

Under UK law, menopause-related issues may be protected under:

✔ Sex Discrimination Laws—If menopause-related symptoms are treated unfairly.

✔ Age Discrimination Laws—If older employees face unjust treatment.

✔ Disability Discrimination Laws—If symptoms severely impact daily life.

✔ Health & Safety Regulations—Employers must ensure a safe working environment.

🚨 Employers who fail to support employees adequately risk legal action and reputation damage.

How Men Can Be Allies in the Workplace

Menopause is not just a women’s issue. Men can play a huge role in workplace support:

👂 Listen & Learn—Understand the basics of menopause and its impact.

💬 Encourage Conversations—Support colleagues in speaking openly

.📢 Challenge Stigma—Call out dismissive attitudes and ensure menopause is taken seriously.

📖 Educate Yourself—Attend workplace menopause awareness sessions.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Menopause Support at Work

Menopause-friendly workplaces are stronger, more inclusive, and more productive.

It’s time to change the narrative—from silence and stigma to education and empowerment.

📢 Now it’s YOUR turn! 

What steps can YOU take today to create a menopause-confident workplace?

💡 Let’s make menopause awareness a priority, not an afterthought.

🏆 Take Action Today! 

🏆💼 Employers: Start the conversation, create a policy, and train your staff.

👩‍💻 Employees: Speak up, seek support, and know your rights.

📚 Everyone: Educate yourself and be part of the change!

🚀 Together, we can build menopause-confident organisations where EVERYONE thrives!

📢 IMPORTANT 📢

We hope you’ve found this article useful. However, it cannot be a substitute for a consultation with a specialist. If you’re concerned about symptoms you’re experiencing or require further information, please reach out to us via our :

TALK TO US (contact us can be found at the bottom of our homepage). 📞💬

Navigating Today’s Digital World: Separating Fact from Fiction

With so much information online, it’s difficult to know what to trust. At Femme Forte, we cut through the noise by:

✅ Delivering clear, fact-checked content

✅ Relying on the expertise of qualified professionals

✅ Ensuring all information is rooted in the latest scientific research

Why Trust Femme Forte?

At Femme Forte, we believe in trusted, expert-led, and empowering healthcare for every woman. 💙

🔹 Reliable Information – Every article, resource, and guide is meticulously vetted to reflect the latest best practices in women’s healthcare.

🔹 Expert-Driven Content – Learn from industry-leading professionals who provide practical, science-backed insights.

🔹 Community & Support – Join a growing network of women empowered with the knowledge to take charge of their hormonal health.

In Association with... The Menopause Consortium (TMC)

We are proud to collaborate with The Menopause Consortium (TMC)—one of the UK’s largest independent providers of in-person women’s health clinics. This partnership ensures you receive expert-backed insights from a diverse network of leading healthcare professionals, including:

✔ Doctors & Gynaecologists

✔ Nurses & Pharmacists

✔ Psychotherapists

✔ Dietitians & Physiotherapists

Together, we take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to supporting your hormonal health.