HR leaders are being urged to put in place better menopause support, after research found almost a third of women aged 40 to 65 are considering leaving the workplace as a result of related health issues.
The survey of 2,000 women, found 47 per cent have had to change the way they work — including reducing hours and turning down training or promotion opportunities; while 7 per cent have already quit due to menopause symptoms.
Benefits Health says these finding contrast with employer perceptions. A parallel survey of 500 HR decision-makers found that 92 per cent believe their organisation is meeting the needs of staff going through menopause, and 72 per centsaid they already have a formal policy or initiative in place.
However, 40 per cent of employees said they were unaware of any menopause policies at work, only a third (33 per cent) of organisations provide menopause training for managers, and fewer than half offer practical measures such as paid leave (41 per cent) or workplace adjustments (45 per cent).
Benenden Health says the impact on performance and productivity is significant. Almost one in three women (31 per cent) reported reduced productivity, while 30 per cent said they need more breaks.
It found that on average women are losing 5.5 working days a year to menopause-related illness. The most commonly cited symptoms affecting work were brain fog and memory issues (46 per cent), hot flushes (46 per cent) and fatigue (43 per cent), alongside anxiety, mood changes and joint pain.
The research also highlighted that their remains stigma around this issue. Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of women said menopause is still awkward to discuss at work, while just 45 per cent feel comfortable raising symptoms with their manager.
Common concerns included fear of being judged, not being understood or being treated differently.
Benenden Health says it is seeing rising demand for support for this issue, with menopause now the second most common reason for 1:1 coaching appointments accessed through its app, after mental health.
It says more than one in four members using the service are seeking menopause-related support.
Benenden Health head of talent and performance Dr Amy Presslanda says the findings should act as a wake-up call for employers.
“Too many women are being forced to make impossible choices between their health and their careers. Our research reveals a gap between employers’ perceptions of support and the reality women face every day during this life stage. Menopause should never be a reason for someone to step back from work they love, or for an organisation to lose talent.”
Pressland added that HR teams should embed clear menopause policies, enable open conversations and introduce a range of practical support options to help women thrive at every stage of life.
The issue is also rising up the policy agenda, with menopause support expected to feature in the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, including the introduction of Menopause Action Plans for businesses with more than 200 employees. Benenden Health said this gives employers a timely opportunity to review and strengthen their approach to retention, absence management and workplace culture.
