Managing menopause in the workplace

A new report, led by La Trobe University, has found that menopausal women fear discrimination in the workplace and face a lack of menopause-specific support. The report presents the key findings and recommendations of a research project titled ‘Women, Work and the Menopause: Releasing the Potential of Older Professional Women’.

The study surveyed 800 professional women over the age of 40, many of whom were juggling the stress of child-caring responsibilities and other life transitions such as divorce, in addition to managing their peri- and menopausal symptoms. They represent the million-plus Australian working women who are currently going through, or have already gone through, the menopause.

On average, participants in the study reported good physical and mental health. However, the more bothersome their menopausal symptoms were, the more the women felt disengaged and dissatisfied at work, with a lower commitment to their organisation and a greater intention to quit their job.

The report indicates that this dissatisfaction was due not only to the symptoms themselves, but also to negative managerial messages about older women. Many participants said they felt anxious about speaking with their managers and colleagues about symptoms of menopause because of the fear of being stereotyped as ‘aged’.

The report stated that there should be more information and training about menopause for supervisors, so they can be better equipped to handle conversations and provide support, as well as for employees. It was also suggested that provisions such as adequate heating and cooling could be employed to more effectively manage body temperature - a privilege currently enjoyed by only 30% of survey respondents - and that menopause be integrated into organisational policies (such as flexible working) and procedures (WHS audits).

“With an ageing population, increasing numbers of older women working and the possibility of the pension age being raised to 70, supporting and understanding the health and wellbeing needs of this group is crucial to fostering workplace satisfaction and performance,” said lead researcher Professor Gavin Jack.

“This has wider community implications for economic productivity and mental health.”

For more information and to read the report, visit http://womenworkandthemenopause.com/.