[UK] Lack of menopause support has led 3.5 million women to consider resigning

The UK workforce is at risk of losing millions of employees as workplace health care continues to be overlooked. Further research has shown the consequences of the current lack of workplace support for women with menstrual and menopausal health symptoms, Work in Mind reports.

The new report from healthcare provider Simplyhealth surveyed UK working women, highlighting the daily impact of experiencing menopausal or menstrual symptoms in the workplace. 

Simplyhealth reportedly called for a stronger workplace culture concerning healthcare.

The report makes clear the risk of losing millions of employees from the workforce if menstrual and menopausal support is neglected.

The report revealed that:

• 23 per cent of working women have considered quitting due to the impact of menopause or menstrual symptoms at work. More than one in ten (14 per cent) are actively planning to resign.
• 87 per cent of working women want their employer to be more supportive of women’s health issues.
• Only one in eight (12 per cent) women reported that training was in place for managers to support employees with women’s health issues. Nearly two-fifths (39 per cent) saying they are comfortable talking to their manager about their health issues.

There are reportedly seven million female employees aged 40-60 in the UK workforce who will experience menopause and the health issues that can come with it. Effective policies and support during menopause will help retain talent valuable to the labour market.

Support in the workplace goes beyond healthcare leaflets and educational talks. According to CIPD, an open culture surrounding topics of periods and menopause should be developed to fully understand the healthcare needs of the team together with a framework of accessible policies such as flexible working and office design to ensure the comfort and productivity of all employees.

Rachel Grocott - CEO of menstrual equity charity Bloody Good Period - told Work in Mind, “This data on the impact of menstrual and menopausal symptoms in the workplace is shocking but sadly not surprising.

“We hear all the time of how pain and other symptoms, a culture of presenteeism and a lack of education for everyone, of all genders, on both periods and menopause has a real impact on people at work.

“Employers should be taking a comprehensive approach to policies, culture and communication in the workplace, to ensure that the needs of women and people who menstruate and experience menopause are properly supported. This includes building everyone’s knowledge, having open conversations and making adjustments – for example, providing period products, factoring in breaks and rest time, and considering uniform requirements.”

Source: Work in Mind

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

The UK workforce is at risk of losing millions of employees as workplace health care continues to be overlooked. Further research has shown the consequences of the current lack of workplace support for women with menstrual and menopausal health symptoms, Work in Mind reports.

The new report from healthcare provider Simplyhealth surveyed UK working women, highlighting the daily impact of experiencing menopausal or menstrual symptoms in the workplace. 

Simplyhealth reportedly called for a stronger workplace culture concerning healthcare.

The report makes clear the risk of losing millions of employees from the workforce if menstrual and menopausal support is neglected.

The report revealed that:

• 23 per cent of working women have considered quitting due to the impact of menopause or menstrual symptoms at work. More than one in ten (14 per cent) are actively planning to resign.
• 87 per cent of working women want their employer to be more supportive of women’s health issues.
• Only one in eight (12 per cent) women reported that training was in place for managers to support employees with women’s health issues. Nearly two-fifths (39 per cent) saying they are comfortable talking to their manager about their health issues.

There are reportedly seven million female employees aged 40-60 in the UK workforce who will experience menopause and the health issues that can come with it. Effective policies and support during menopause will help retain talent valuable to the labour market.

Support in the workplace goes beyond healthcare leaflets and educational talks. According to CIPD, an open culture surrounding topics of periods and menopause should be developed to fully understand the healthcare needs of the team together with a framework of accessible policies such as flexible working and office design to ensure the comfort and productivity of all employees.

Rachel Grocott - CEO of menstrual equity charity Bloody Good Period - told Work in Mind, “This data on the impact of menstrual and menopausal symptoms in the workplace is shocking but sadly not surprising.

“We hear all the time of how pain and other symptoms, a culture of presenteeism and a lack of education for everyone, of all genders, on both periods and menopause has a real impact on people at work.

“Employers should be taking a comprehensive approach to policies, culture and communication in the workplace, to ensure that the needs of women and people who menstruate and experience menopause are properly supported. This includes building everyone’s knowledge, having open conversations and making adjustments – for example, providing period products, factoring in breaks and rest time, and considering uniform requirements.”

Source: Work in Mind

(Links and quotes via original reporting)