Menopause in the Workplace: Policies and Progress

#WorldMenopauseDay on October 18th is dedicated to raising awareness about menopause and supporting the health and well-being of women experiencing this phase of life. Ahead of the day, we look at some of the key initiatives and issues surrounding menopause at work.

Companies with Menopause Policies

Several UK companies have implemented menopause policies to support employees experiencing menopause symptoms. This trend has gained momentum as awareness of the challenges faced by menopausal women in the workplace increases. Here are some notable companies with menopause policies:

• ‍Channel 4: Launched the UK media industry’s first dedicated menopause policy on World Menopause Day 2019, aiming to support their employees experiencing menopausal symptoms and to provide guidance for line managers. They have published their menopause policy to help and assist other organisations. ‍
• Vodafone: Announced its menopause support policy on International Women’s Day in 2021, committing to provide resources and support across all its offices in Europe and Africa.‍
• Diageo: The multinational drinks company introduced guidelines titled "Thriving Through Menopause," which offer access to counseling, mindfulness sessions, and increased flexibility in work hours and sick leave.‍
• Santander: Launched a comprehensive menopause policy in 2020, incorporating the Peppy app for employees to access expert support. They also conduct awareness sessions to foster open discussions about menopause in the workplace.
• ‍Boots: Provides an employee assistance program that includes menopause-specific information and support. Since April 2022, Boots has covered the costs of HRT prescriptions for employees.
• ‍Timpson: One of the first UK companies to adopt a proactive approach to menopause in the workplace, offering various employee support measures, including the ability to pay for HRT via expenses.

In the US, companies like Genentech, Adobe, Nvidia, Bank of America and Bristol Myers Squibb have rolled out new employee benefits to support women going through menopause.

Read more: Menopause speakers | Elevate the conversation

Impact and Importance of Menopause Policies

Implementing these policies is driven by the recognition that menopause can significantly impact women's work performance and overall well-being. Research indicates that a substantial number of women consider leaving their jobs due to menopause symptoms, which can include anxiety, hot flashes, and sleep disturbances. By creating supportive environments, these companies aim to retain talent and promote inclusivity, ultimately benefiting their organisational culture and productivity.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has released the world’s first British Standard on menstrual and menopausal health, BS 30416, Menstruation, Menstrual Health and Menopause in the Workplace. This standard is aimed at managers, HR professionals, OH&S, wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion specialists.

The Menopause Workplace Pledge campaign aims to raise awareness of the impact of menopause in the workplace. It is in response to estimates showing that around 1 million women have left their jobs due to menopause-related difficulties. Over 2,700 employers, including prominent organisations like the BBC, Tesco, and Royal Mail, have already pledged their support.

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The increasing adoption of menopause policies demonstrates a larger societal movement towards addressing women's health concerns in the workplace. As more companies acknowledge the significance of supporting employees through menopause, this will probably result in enhanced workplace environments and improved employee retention.

Menopause Speakers for Your Organisation 

Meet our roster of knowledgeable menopause speakers specialising in perimenopause, menopause, and women's health. Their presentations are valuable for everyone, regardless of gender or age. They provide insight into what women's partners, friends, and colleagues may be experiencing. Booking a menopause speaker for your business can help raise awareness and provide expert insights that support the development and implementation of inclusive workplace policies.

Kathryn Pinkham

Kathryn Pinkham is an exceptional speaker on menopause, mainly due to her unique specialisation in sleep disturbances caused by menopause. As the founder of The Insomnia Clinic, Kathryn has developed a proven programme using cognitive behavioural therapy to address sleep issues, which is especially beneficial for women experiencing menopause-related insomnia. Her extensive experience as the UK’s only sleep expert focusing on menopause makes her insights both practical and transformative for audiences seeking to improve their sleep quality during this challenging life phase.

PepTalk Fact: Kathryn's programme is the only NHS-recommended method specifically designed for managing sleep disruptions during menopause 🛌

⮕ Learn more and book Kathryn Pinkham as a speaker.

Elizabeth Joseph

Elizabeth Joseph is a standout speaker on the topic of menopause, with a particular focus on perimenopause—a crucial phase that often precedes menopause and is frequently overlooked. As a midlife influencer and classic model, Elizabeth brings a fresh perspective to the conversation, challenging stereotypes and encouraging women to embrace their "second act." Her work, which includes podcasts, articles, and menopause keynotes, makes her a powerful advocate for raising awareness and breaking taboos around this significant life stage.

PepTalk Fact: Elizabeth's influential work has been featured on the popular podcast "The Menopause Mindset" 🎙️

⮕ Learn more and book Elizabeth Joseph as a speaker.

Dr Angela Sharma

Dr Angela Sharma is a leading expert in menopause care, making her an ideal speaker for discussions on perimenopause and menopause, especially in the workplace. With over 22 years of experience as a GP and a menopause specialist, Dr Angela combines her deep medical expertise with a compassionate approach. Her work includes advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for menopause and sexual medicine, equipping her to address the multifaceted challenges that women face during menopause. She also actively contributes to the British Menopause Society, ensuring her knowledge is both current and impactful.

PepTalk Fact: Angela was recently elected to the British Menopause Society's medical advisory board council 👩‍⚕️

⮕ Learn more and book Dr Angela Sharma as a speaker.

Davina McCall

Davina McCall is a dynamic speaker choice for discussing menopause, bringing her celebrity platform to raise awareness and break taboos. Known for her work on popular TV shows, Davina has also shared her personal experience with menopause in the critically acclaimed documentary "Davina McCall: Sex Myths and the Menopause." Her openness and influence make her a compelling figure to help organisations start conversations about menopause, fostering a more understanding and supportive environment.

PepTalk Fact: Davina's documentary on menopause has sparked widespread public discussion, making her a powerful advocate for breaking the silence on this topic 🎬

⮕ Learn more and book Davina McCall as a speaker.

Pamella Onoriode

Pamella Onoriode is a transformative speaker on menopause, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of menstrual cycle awareness and career advancement. As the founder of Boss Your Career, Pamella’s mission is to empower women by helping them understand and leverage their menstrual cycles to optimise professional performance. Her background as a media professional and certified self-care activist adds depth to her approach, making her a trailblazer in advocating for women's health in the workplace.

PepTalk Fact: Pamella is on a mission to empower one billion women through menstrual cycle awareness 🚀

⮕ Learn more and book Pamella Onoriode as a speaker.

Nicki Williams

Nicki Williams is a highly regarded speaker on menopause, focusing on hormone health and natural solutions for managing menopause symptoms. After personally overcoming hormone imbalances, Nicki founded Happy Hormones for Life, helping thousands of women improve their health and well-being through dietary and lifestyle changes. Her practical, evidence-based advice is ideal for workplaces looking to support their staff during menopause, making her a sought-after expert on managing menopause.

PepTalk Fact: Nicki is an award-winning nutritionist and has authored several books on hormone health 🍏

⮕ Learn more and book Nicki Williams as a speaker.

Sinead Sharkey-Steenson

Sinead Sharkey-Steenson is a powerful speaker on menopause, mainly focused on addressing the talent drain caused by menopause in the workplace. Her TEDx Talk, "Menopause: Smashing the Last Glass Ceiling," encapsulates her mission to provide practical solutions that enable women to thrive in their careers during menopause. With over 20 years of experience in leadership and coaching, Sinead has empowered thousands of women to enhance their career impact, making her an ideal speaker for organisations aiming to support female employees during menopause.

PepTalk Fact: Sinead has empowered over 10,000 women through her coaching and training programmes 💪

⮕ Learn more and book Sinead Sharkey-Steenson as a speaker.

Lauren Chiren

Lauren Chiren is a leading voice on menopause in the workplace, making her an ideal speaker for businesses looking to create inclusive environments. As the founder of Women of a Certain Stage, Lauren educates employers on supporting employees through menopause, aiming to retain and nurture talent. Her background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, combined with her senior executive experience, gives her a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by women during menopause. Lauren's contributions to the UK government's inquiry into menopause further highlight her authority.

PepTalk Fact: Lauren contributed to the UK government's inquiry into menopause in the workplace, underscoring her expertise and commitment 🏛️

⮕ Learn more and book Lauren Chiren as a speaker.

💡 Is it time to open up the Menopause conversation in your workplace? Don't miss out on engaging an expert speaker for World Menopause Day? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk.