Two in three employees feel uncomfortable talking to their boss about perimenopause and menopause, according to research conducted by MetLife UK.
A staggering 69 percent of women experiencing perimenopause or menopause say their work has been impacted.
Also almost a quarter (23%) have had to work late to make up for time off work due to their symptoms and health appointments, whilst more than one in five (22%) admitted to making mistakes or missing deadlines.
The majority, 65 percent, who have experienced, or are currently experiencing, perimenopause or menopause, say they are too uncomfortable talking to their manager about how their symptoms are impacting them at work, with just 27 percent able to confide in them.
One in nine (11%) also claimed that their menopause had impacted their relationship with their colleagues.
What are the common symptoms?
Two thirds (65%) admitted to low moods and mood swings, hot flushes – including excessive sweating and night sweats – and nearly two thirds (62%) experienced difficulties sleeping.
Having headaches was another common symptom, with half of women experiencing them as part of their menopause, with memory and concentration affecting 45 percent.
These symptoms were attributed to one in six women missing out on workplace social events, or external meetings.
How can employers support their female employees?
But there are options out there for employers to better support those experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause in – and out – the workplace.
Most organisations will have some form of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering resources to improve sickness absence while increasing employee satisfaction and engagement.
For example, at MetLife UK, clients can access our Group Life Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – if selected, which provides emotional and practical support to tackle concerns about their own or someone else’s emotional and health wellbeing at work.
With round the clock access to professional counsellors and registered nurses, employees can access the support from wherever they are.
Adrian Matthews, Head of Employee Benefits at MetLife, comments: “Women need to be able to have the freedom to discuss any issues they may be experiencing, whether that be at home or at work. The menopause can’t be left at the threshold, and it helps to have an encouraging and supportive employer to be able to navigate what can be an isolating time in women’s lives. By regularly signposting support and reminding employees about their benefits and the specific menopause resources and policies in place, employers can ensure their staff are properly supported and will go some way to discourage feelings of awkwardness when bringing up female-sensitive conversations.
“Helping women feel heard, supported, and respected can help employers to maintain the hard-fought careers of women and see them through this chapter in their lives within the workplace.”
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
