A new study has unveiled that a third of working women are grappling with menopause symptoms, directly affecting their performance at work. Symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and joint pain have reportedly instigated a significant dent in workplace productivity and taken a toll on women’s income.
The revelation underlines that unchecked menopause symptoms cost Canadian employers upwards of $237 million annually due to plummeting productivity. Women, on the other hand, suffer a jarring loss of $3.3 billion in income yearly, either through reduced work hours or an early exit from the workforce.
“The lacuna of information surrounding menopause fuels a negative outlook on women’s health. This inevitably affects their quality of life and professional circuits,” stated Janet Ko, the co-founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC). She elaborated that societal norms that devalue ageing women often create a negative image of the menopause stage, stifling meaningful discourse and awareness about this universal process.
Menopause, which usually transpires between the ages of 45 and 55 and endures an average of seven years, arises during a woman’s prime working period. In some cases, it can even linger for 14 years.
A report from Deloitte points out the repercussions of menopausal symptoms in a professional setting, attributing approximately 540,000 lost workdays to managing these physical changes. Contrarily, 87 per cent of the surveyed women emphasized the need for comprehensive support throughout various life stages, including menopause. Yet, the same percentage felt the absence of such support in their workplaces.
The MFC sees this predicament as a potential opportunity for employers to shape more menopause-friendly workplaces. Ko encourages them to seize this chance and capitalize on the talents that women bring into the workforce.
“By merely enhancing current policies, benefits, and communications, employers can assist women immensely. Simple adjustments in the work environment can also prove instrumental,” shared Ko.
She further suggested employers could break the menopause taboo by organizing information sessions, establishing employee resources or menopause groups, and re-assessing employee benefits to encompass menopause hormone therapy, among other measures.
Through its Menopause Works HereTM campaign, the MFC urges employers across Canada to act consciously and support working women navigating menopause. To date, Sun Life has become the first company to join the campaign. Dalhousie University has also made a move by setting up a menopause support group to incorporate menopause into the employee experience.
“Our generation shall be the last to remain oblivious about menopause. We aim to carve a new narrative that duly acknowledges the valuable contributions of women in their prime,” affirmed Ko.
