Menopause-related symptoms are impacting the workforce in ways that are leading some women to leave their jobs.
One such woman, Madhu Kapoor, made the difficult decision to resign from her position in the British government department after experiencing debilitating symptoms of perimenopause.
Despite her loyalty and commitment to her job, the lack of support from her leadership team led her to believe that leaving was her only option.
This issue is not isolated to Kapoor, as a survey conducted by UK workplace-healthcare provider SimplyHealth found that 23% of working women aged 40 to 60 considered resigning due to the impact of menopause. Additionally, researchers estimate that the financial toll of sick days, unpaid leave, and missed opportunities due to menopause amounts to $1.8 billion per year in the US alone.
While some employers have begun to introduce menopause-specific support programs, experts believe that more needs to be done to address the professional impact of menopause on women in the workforce. The lack of awareness and support for menopausal workers is pervasive, with only 26% of women surveyed receiving help from formal workplace programs or policies.
The taboo nature of discussing menopause further complicates the issue, with many women feeling uncomfortable broaching the subject with their employers. Tamsen Fadal, a menopause-support advocate, highlights the underestimation of the number of women who feel compelled to quit their jobs due to menopause-related issues. The fear of ageism and lack of understanding from male-dominated leadership teams only exacerbate the problem.
Some companies, such as Adobe, Bank of America, and Bristol Myers Squibb, have started offering menopause-specific benefits to support menopausal women in the workforce.
However, there is still a long way to go in terms of creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for menopausal workers.
