5 minute read time

Because we spend so much of our lives at work, it is vital that our support network includes our workplace. And for me, we all work in some shape or form - it may be a traditional workplace or it may be in the home. Progress starts with normalising menopause - sounds easier than it is, right?

Let me take you to one of the world’s most well-known offices - The Oval Office. Barack Obama was surrounded by women in his cabinet, many going through menopause, and he could see it. As Michelle Obama famously stated 'cause sweat would start pouring’. BUT, he didn't fall apart because he found out there were several women on his staff that were going through menopause. He just said 'well, turn the air conditioner on.’

This level of openness, practicality and normality is what we want to strive for in workplaces.

Women in menopause tend to be at the prime of their careers when the menopause chapter starts. Years of wisdom and knowledge gained from working makes these women instrumental in the workplace. However many are faced with the unknown experience that is menopause.

For those in senior positions and high-profile roles the pressure to maintain excellence can be very hard to reconcile with the menopause transition. Or for the woman on the factory floor wearing synthetic uniforms making a hot flush a cold dread. Add to this the daily stress of juggling several aspects of a woman's life, family, ageing parents etc, the stress of this can become unmanageable.

Workplaces need to change to support menopause. It is happening - I have been working with companies from all sectors for the last 3.5 years and have spoken with over 11,000+ people in workplaces and the conversation is only heating up, with so much more to come.

What is needed?

Menopause needs three things in the workplace: support, education and understanding. Full, organisational, workplace wide support is the way forward - from the C Suite to line managers to implemented guidance and full policy changes. This needs to continue and indeed it needs to be embedded within workplace guidances, policies and procedures.

It cannot be a ‘flash in the pan’ approach - it deserves ongoing commitment and support. In my experience of working with HR managers and employers, the benefits and feedback they get from introducing and championing the topic and providing education sessions are second to none. Openly supporting menopause makes employees feel supported and acknowledged by their employers for the transition that is menopause and how that transition impacts their working life.

Menopause has no boundaries. We know menopause impacts all aspects of a woman's life and the entire social and family unit. So surely this should be a community project within all workplaces.

where can workplaces start?

Well, they can start at the start - by understanding and educating on menopause and the symptoms that impact a women’s life and understanding what are the key symptoms that can make a woman’s working day more challenging.

Over the last few months, I have been sharing a workplace survey with some of the companies I work with and my followers on Instagram.

The results in many ways reflected what I expected, BUT what really blew me away was how Brain Fog stood out from the crowd - 78% felt this was the most challenging symptom.

The gap between this and other symptoms is what stuns me most, what came closest to this was Anxiety at 66% followed by loss of confidence as 60% - all the brain and emotional aspects - and these are more often than not misunderstood in the workplace. It was these symptoms that threw me of kilter when I was in perimenopause and I wasn’t prepared for them. When you start to feel anxious before meetings and get ‘those wobbles in your tummy’ it really knocks you. Your performance can suffer.

The physical aspects trail behind with the exception of aches and pains at 49% - it’s the emotional aspects that can take a real toll for so many.

I'm often asked what are the main symptoms of menopause that impact the workday, I have to be honest and say it's every single symptom. Yes, some are more difficult than others but all of the symptoms will have an impact on your daily life inside and outside of work.

The role that you are performing at work may exasperate symptoms, for example, if you are a nurse and working with ongoing chronic sleep deprivation, that going to be a hard burden to carry. If you work in retail and you are experiencing extreme aches and pains this can be extremely distressing being on your feet all day, equally sitting at a desk all day when you're far from the toilet and experiencing bladder issues will wreak havoc with your day.

where can we start?

More employers are providing education on menopause and some stand alone in their efforts like Hewlett Packard, Workday, Irish Life Health and many others.

But according to my survey, 80% still feel it’s a taboo within the workplace. So more needs to happen - we need to ask workplaces to educate. Start with your line manager, HR department, occupational health - use your voice to ask and request support in your work.

We need to take responsibility and empower ourselves, give ourselves permission to talk openly about menopause and not sweep the conversation under the carpet.

Acknowledge the hot flush openly when it happens, don’t hide it. Put your hand up to brain fog when it strikes - make the symptoms a normal part of life. This is the key to unlocking the taboo and openly starting the menopause conversation in work and indeed in all aspects of life.

Five top tips to support you during your working day

Breathe your breath is with you always and is a constant support in times of stress.
Avoid triggers like caffeine especially before meetings as we know this will trigger anxiety, brain fog and bladder issues.
Be your own champion - listen to your body and get the right support.
Ditch perfectionism and multi-tasking - these are not your friend in menopause!
Prioritise sleep.

Catherine O'Keeffe, October 2021