Can we really talk about menopause at work?

Menopause isn’t a flaw or a weakness. It’s a human experience.

From my experience, (most) workplaces need to catch up.

Can you imagine being able to talk about your experiences of midlife and menopause, at work?

Maybe you have a workplace right now, maybe you don’t

When I’m asked to give a webinar, or help facilitate a group discussion on menopause

• Trust – Being able to say what’s on your mind without fear  
• Respect – Your experience is true for you
• Validity – What you say will be heard
• Implementation – What needs to change for you to feel more at ease? (at work, or elsewhere)

From my experience, many are wary… for several reasons.

At the root of it all, I believe we need to revise how Western society devalues us as we age

Until this is talked about in relation to women’s health, I’ll keep banging my drum as loudly as ever!

I also want to swing the ‘menopause at work’ conversation around towards truly recognising that changing needs (health or otherwise), do not indicate flaws – personally or professionally. 

Not all of us want to discuss our personal issues at work, no.

But some of us are forced into those conversations, because symptoms don’t stop just because we’re at our desk.

It’s common to keep quiet and try to carry on.

This isn’t right, at all.

Somewhere along the way of industrialisation and modern living (many many years ago), corporate conveniently forgot we are humans first, workers second.

Women first, menopausal women second.

People first, midlife people second.

Perhaps the real problem we face in managing our career alongside menopause, is that so often they are at odds with each other.

• Menopause is all about change.

• Workplaces thrive on predictable, repeatable outcomes.

We’re not machines though, we’re human.

And there are ways for workplace culture to respect that fact.

Where I’ve seen it done well, is when gender and individuality are genuinely respected. Not given the side eye.

It’s when ‘support’ means flexible working, and relevant policies that are visible in daily framework and work structure (not a one page leaflet next to the water cooler).

When you hear me talk about webinars and workshops about menopause, these are the kinds of discussions you can expect me to be bring.

If you’re curious about what I could bring to your workplace webinar or workshop for menopause month (or any other time of year), then get in touch here. Let’s chat about it.