CIPD Champions Menopause Friendly Workplaces

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31 July 2023

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is collaborating with Helen Tomlinson, the UK government’s first Menopause Employment Champion, to champion menopause friendly workplaces.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) wants to promote the message that menopause supportive work cultures are essential to attracting and retaining valuable talent for UK workforces.

CIPD research highlights the difference that support from employers, line managers and colleagues makes to how people manage the impact of menopause in their working lives. Its survey of more than 2,000 employees experiencing menopause transition found that flexible working is viewed as most helpful when managing menopause symptoms at work (48 per cent agreed).

A Facilities Manager’s Role in Making a Workplace Menopause Friendly

Facilities and workplace managers have a particular role to play in helping make workplaces menopause friendly, as 46 per cent mentioned that the ability to control local temperature would also help.

People of menopausal age are the fastest-growing demographic of the UK workforce, and yet one in ten will consider leaving employment due to their menopause symptoms. With specialist, accessible support in place, women can avoid having their careers derailed by complex changes in their health.

It's also imperative to note that menopause can also affect the transgender community. Trans men may still experience menopause, and trans women undertaking hormone therapy may also experience "pseudo" menopausal symptoms.

Helen Tomlinson, Menopause Employment Champion said: “Menopause is an entirely natural but sometimes difficult period affecting 51 per cent of the population. But this is not a time to step down, step back, or step out of their working life.

“Women over 50 are the fastest growing demographic in the workplace and when employers provide education, support and allyship, they can go on to have arguably the most productive and fulfilling time in their careers.” 

Picture: a photograph of a person working at a desk on a computer. Image Credit: The Centre for Ageing Better

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 31 July 2023

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