MENOPAUSE IN THE WORKPLACE Menopause is a natural stage of life experienced by over 50% of the workforce, yet it remains stigmatised. This means that many people do not feel comfortable to disclose their symptoms, which can be severe, to colleagues or their leader. A study 1 of employees with menopausal symptoms across a range of organisations found that, the more frequently they experienced menopause-related symptoms: 1. the less engaged they felt at work, 2. the less satisfied they were with their job, 3. the less committed they felt to the organisation they worked for, 4. and the greater intention they had to quit their job. At AIA NZ we recognise our responsibility to: • Raise awareness and end stigma in order to foster an inclusive workplace where people are psychologically safe to speak up and discuss their menopause symptoms and experience. • Provide support and workplace adjustments to ensure we have a workplace that is set up to best support people who are going through menopause. What to expect from this toolkit • Understand the menopause transition, common symptoms and how they can be managed, • Understand the barriers that could potentially prevent a colleague going through the menopause transition from performing at work, • Gain confidence in your role as a leader or colleague to support someone navigating menopausal symptoms, • Understand the practical workplace adjustments available to support colleagues and help them thrive at work, and • Contribute to an inclusive working environment.
People experiencing menopausal symptoms require the same level of support and understanding in the workplace as anyone experiencing any ongoing health condition.
1. Impact of Menopausal Symptoms on Work: Findings from Women in the Health and Employment after Fifty (HEAF) Study, Dec 2022.
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Menopause Support Toolkit
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