An independent menopause advisory group has been set up to bolster employer support to help women stay in work during this important life stage.
Mariella Frostrup, the government’s menopause employment ambassador, will work with industry leaders to provide practical advice for employers.
The move to strengthen employer support is necessary as many women drop out of the workforce due to menopause symptoms. CIPD research shows that more than half of women experiencing menopause (53 percent) have not been able to attend work due to their symptoms. One in ten women leave the workforce completely as a result of menopause, which is estimated to cost businesses around £1.5 billion every year.
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said: “For too long working women have suffered in silence or stopped working when they experience the menopause – a completely natural and normal part of life.
“A taboo and lack of understanding is holding back our nation’s growth and it’s time to tackle it head on.
“The first ever independent menopause advisory group will bring together huge knowledge and experience on this vital issue so we can give women the support they need to remain and thrive in work, putting money in people’s pockets and delivering growth for our economy as part of the Plan for Change.”
Frostrup said: “I’m delighted to have this incredible group of professionals helping me ensure that women in midlife, a time when we often have to balance so much responsibility, are properly supported at work.
“Far too many experienced and capable women are forced out of employment through no fault of their own, hurting their earnings and our nation’s economy. Together we can create a more supportive and happier workplace where everyone can succeed.”
BT hosted the group’s launch event, and the firm’s director of inclusion and wellbeing, Fiona Vines, said: “At BT Group we understand the importance of supporting women’s health in the workplace. This event is an important opportunity to bring business leaders together with key government ministers to promote awareness and implement strategies to improve workplace support for women affected by menopause.”
Jon Paull, chief operating officer at Octopus Energy, said: “Menopause affects half the population, yet for too long women were expected to manage it in silence. We support our team members through this transition so they can continue to do their jobs with confidence while being the best versions of themselves at work. This isn’t just good for their wellbeing and the happiness of our teams but also incredibly good for business. A true win-win.”
Clare Moffat, head of technical and marketing compliance at Royal London welcomed the launch of the group. She said the topic of menopause in the workplace deserves appropriate attention and it is essential for women to feel empowered to discuss menopause openly, positively, and respectfully, and to receive active support.
“Businesses need to create a supportive workplace environment, which in turn will be key to retaining talent in the workforce. Currently, too many women are considering leaving employment due to menopause symptoms, which can have a significant impact on their overall finances, and particularly their retirement savings.
“Encouragingly, from our research around menopause in work, 82 percent of women going through menopause said they would be more likely to stay with their current employer if they were better supported.”
This requires business leaders to better understand menopause and how they can support employees, she said. “This includes creating a supportive workplace environment and signposting effective menopause support to help employees and ensure the economy benefits too.”
Moffat highlighted that women are more likely than men to take a career break or work part-time to care for children, grandchildren, or elderly relatives, which can affect their financial circumstances. Menopause is another part of this disadvantage.
She explained: “Unfortunately, dealing with menopause symptoms can come at a time when many women may be thinking about adding to their pension savings.
“Quite apart from the loss of income, women leaving their job because of menopause symptoms miss out on important pension savings at a key stage in their life, potentially resulting in them being up to £126,000 worse off in retirement [according to analysis by Royal London].”
The advisory group’s launch comes as the Employment Rights Bill is due to be scrutinised by the members of the House of Lords from Tuesday 29 April. The bill includes landmark legislation that requires employers with more than 250 employees to produce and publish menopause action plans that detail how they will support employees through the menopause.
