New research shows 75% of women at menopausal age facing daily workplace challenges

The research found that less than 23 per cent of those asked felt that their employer takes menopause seriously, despite nine out of 10 confessing to struggling with symptoms that affect their ability to work every day.

Of those surveyed, 98 per cent of respondents admitted to suffering from perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, yet, 85 per cent did not feel comfortable talking to their employers. 40 per cent also felt they had been treated less favourably than other employees because of their menopausal symptoms.

Hannah Strawbridge, CEO of Halifax-based Han Law, said: “It’s no wonder that menopausal women often feel invisible, overlooked, forgotten, and unsupported. The fact that so many are misunderstood and embarrassed to talk to their managers is shocking.”

“Whilst the results of our study were eye-opening, they sadly weren’t surprising and merely confirmed what we already suspected, that employers need to do more to create supportive work environments for women going through menopause.”

When asked about symptoms, 81 per cent said they felt their concentration had been affected, while just under 80 per cent said they had been affected by anxiety.

78 per cent said they had been affected by fatigue, and 75 per cent said they had struggled with memory loss.

Ms Strawbridge added: “The symptoms highlighted by those who took part in the study prove that more needs to be done to support women's wellbeing. The addition of a fan in the office or sitting people by a window really isn’t enough.

“Flexible working has become the norm for working parents and it's time that menopausal women were given the same consideration to help support them. Allowing employees to start later or work from home could not only make a huge difference but it could prevent them from leaving their careers.”

When asked about support, almost three-quarters of those surveyed said they worked for businesses that did not have a menopause policy in place, and of those that did, just one in eight felt that it had a positive impact.

Ms Strawbridge said: “Whilst some organisations will have already taken initial, practical steps to support their employees who are going through menopause, this is just the tip of the iceberg, and it's not enough to simply have a policy in place. It must be brought to life, carefully implemented, and communicated to all.

“Employers also need to create an environment where menopause can be talked about freely without embarrassment on either side. These conversations must be normalised, not stigmatised.

“Our research has highlighted the devastating affects and daily toll that menopause can take on those dealing with it. Empathy, understanding and support is necessary to ensure that women don’t continue to exit the workforce in their droves. More can be done and employers should be supporting women and helping them to stay at work rather than hindering their ability to not only succeed but to also thrive. “