How to best navigate your personal and professional life
As if things weren’t challenging enough during perimenopause and menopause – studies show that symptoms at this life of your life can actually have a significant impact on your performance in the workplace.
Ireland’s population is now living longer and working until later in life. So we need to support women to stay well and thrive in the workplace. After all, a women aged 50 probably still have another 18 years of working life ahead of her.
It’s not just women we need to consider either. Menopause can further impact on male and female colleagues – it’s something that more organisations need to consider and create support systems for.
Bosses need to know about it too and should of the direct and indirect effects of the menopause.
Collectively, we should all also be aware of ways we can reduce sigma. The more people and companies that talk openly about menopause the more it will become normalised. We’ve seen that shift in more recent years when it comes to discussing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. There is no reason why this conversation can’t also extend to health issues such as menopause.
Why do we need to know about the menopause and the workplace?
- Between 2006 and 2016 the employment rate for women in Ireland aged 55-59 increased from 47% to 59% and the rate for women aged 60-64 increased from 31% to 37.5%
- In total, 300,000 women in Ireland aged 45-64 are in employment
- Some industries – including nursing and midwifery – are predominately female
- The HSE says eight out of 10 women experience negative symptoms during perimenopause and menopause
- The average age for a woman to go through menopause is 51
- Symptoms menopause can last up to 10 years
- Symptoms range from cognitive, physical, and psychological symptoms (for example hot flushes, muscular aches, poor concentration, anxiety and headaches)
- Numbers don’t exist in Ireland, but around one in 100 women experience menopause before age 40 in the UK and it’s likely the rate here is similar
- One in four women can experience severe symptoms which impact on their daily lives
- A survey in Northern Ireland found that half of respondees said menopause was treated as a ‘joke’ in their workplace. Some 28% said it was treated negatively.
Menopause and the workplace: Key supports organisations of all sizes.
Our corporate programme will tackle the stigma, the difficulties, and the practicalities – creating a more understanding, inclusive, and ultimately more productive environment for everyone.
A practical, cost-efficient way to support more women in the workplace: what the Key corporate programme offers
- A consultation with our team to understand your Key needs and objectives
- Monthly sessions with our team and ambassadors
- Key peri + menopause health supplements delivered monthly to your employees
- Information and support available to download and created in partnership with your organisation
- Expert advice on practical best-practises in your workspace – from heating, to breakout rooms, to flexile working hours
