Supporting Women at Work this World Menopause Day
18 October marks World Menopause Day - a vital moment to shine a light on a health and career issue affecting millions of women. With menopause often occurring at the height of women’s professional lives, many face difficult choices due to a lack of workplace understanding and support.
Research shows that 67% of women aged 40–60 report negative impacts at work due to menopause symptoms, with 68% experiencing heightened stress. Even more concerning, 1 in 10 women have left a job altogether because of their symptoms.
On this World Menopause Day, we’re amplifying awareness of how menopause affects women’s wellbeing and professional lives — and why it’s essential that workplaces take action.
Menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce, yet 8 in 10 women say their employer hasn’t provided information, staff training, or a menopause absence policy. Employers have both a moral and business imperative to act. When organisations introduce menopause support, they report up to an 80% boost in retention and a 50% improvement in performance — proving that inclusion and empathy drive success.
At LEAD Network, we’re proud to be at the forefront of change. We’re launching a new Chapter - IMPACTM - dedicated to raising awareness, building supportive communities, and providing access to workplace resources that empower women to thrive through every life stage.
By bringing together insights and best practices from our community of Partner companies across the European retail and CPG industry, we can help address this critical but often overlooked workplace challenge.
If you’d like to get involved or learn more, contact [email protected].
Together, we can make menopause support a norm!
Sources:
- Fawcett Society: Menopause and the Workplace
- CIPD: Menopause Workplace Experiences
- British Safety Council: Navigating the Menopause Maze
Further Resources:
- Menopause Friendly UK – “Menopause Support at Work: Why It’s So Crucial Now” by Professor Jo Brewis
- Partner Members in retail or CPG can access the Menopause Industry Playbook via the DEI Content Library - thanks to our Ireland Chapter for this valuable contribution.