Educating both men and women is key to demystifying menopause - Melissa Sookia

So, what does this mean for employers? Over the years, women have revealed the workplace can present greater difficulty when managing symptoms. This comes as no surprise with the stigma of ‘being menopausal’ still referenced and misunderstood by many.

When we consider the effects of menopause, it's not limited to the physical aspects such as hot flashes, night sweats and fatigue. There are 48 symptoms – it’s a complex journey marked by emotional fluctuations, cognitive changes, and for some, an overall sense of discomfort.

The most commonly reported difficulties menopausal women experience at work include having poor concentration, tiredness, memory loss, feeling low or depressed and lowered confidence. Problematic hot flushes at work have also been linked to women having a higher intention to leave their job.

With all of these symptoms in play, menopause can also have a significant impact on team morale, affecting workplace well-being and productivity. Some of the symptom’s women experience such as mood swings and sleep disturbance can all affect an employee’s ability to concentrate during team meetings and presentations.

This may have an impact on the team dynamics which can lead to some women feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed to openly discuss their symptoms with colleagues. The knock-on effect this has is that it can often leave their colleagues feeling unsure of how to support their co-workers which can create avoidable conflict.

What’s more, a negative impact on team morale can be compounded by the stigma surrounding menopause, which can then make women feel isolated and unsupported in the workplace.

However, the good news is, it’s not all doom and gloom and there are many ways to get on top of the topic. Employers are being encouraged to be more aware and offer the appropriate support to women at all stage of the change.

The significance of menopause support for women and men in the workplace can not be overstated. It’s about creating a nurturing environment that fosters understanding, empathy, and, ultimately, improved team morale.

Helping employers to understand what they can do to support employees in the workplace is one of my biggest passions. I have seen first hand the positive impact change within the workplace based on an understanding of menopause can have on the employee, wider teams and the employer.

The first step for any employer is to understand menopause, including its definition, causes and symptoms. From here it’s a case of recognising how the physical and emotional changes may affect an employee’s performance and productivity.

Then it’s a case of looking at the current workplace environment, not just the footprint of the physical space, but the culture as well. It’s important to ensure everyone within the business has the education and knowledge to create an open and supportive environment.

Within the workplace, employers can provide a safe space to open up discussions around menopause, such as a pop-up menopause café where people can access information through various recourses, such as websites, books and podcasts. This can help to encourage open and honest communication among team members and managers, creating a culture of empathy and support.

Fostering a workplace environment that values the well-being of all employees, including those going through menopause, can promote team morale and productivity while supporting the health and well-being of their employees.

Having studied menopause in all its forms, and having spoken to many women going through the change, it became apparent that it isn’t just women who require support within the workplace. Male partners must also be considered as the symptoms of menopause can have significant effects on relationships.

Educating both men and women within the workplace is key to demystifying menopause, understanding the causes and ultimately ensuring that employees receive the support to ensure the well-being of every employee is met.

Melissa Sookia is the founder of online menopause clinic LIVVE.