Women experiencing menopause still face workplace discrimination, study finds

Nearly one in 12 women going through menopause report workplace discrimination, with many leaving careers or missing promotions, international research shows.

The study of 13,800 workers across six countries found more than a third faced negative workplace impacts, ranging from reduced productivity to fear of telling colleagues.

The study aims to track changing attitudes across multiple regions, with the goal of providing evidence to shape workplace policies and support programmes for employees affected by menopause.

One in 20 women believed they had lost out on pay rises or promotion, while a similar proportion said they had to leave their careers because of symptoms.

Only 24 per cent felt able to discuss their experiences with managers.

The Menopause Experience and Attitudes Study, led by Astellas Pharma, examined stigma and societal attitudes to both menopause and perimenopause – the stage before menopause when hormone levels fluctuate.

Discrimination rates varied: 5 per cent of women in the US and Canada reported it, rising to 7 per cent in Germany, 8 per cent in Australia, 9 per cent in Brazil and 12 per cent in Mexico.

Career progression was also affected differently.

Three per cent of US women felt menopause cost them promotions or pay increases, compared with 6 per cent in Brazil and Australia, and 7 per cent in Mexico.

Overall, 17 per cent of respondents said their productivity dropped, while 14 per cent feared speaking to colleagues about symptoms.

Common effects include hot flushes, mood changes, sleep disturbance and memory or concentration difficulties, all of which can disrupt daily work.

Katsuyoshi Sugita, chief people officer at Astellas, said stigma was harming both wellbeing and workplace output.

Sugita said: “Organisations have a responsibility to change the narrative around menopause and build environments where people feel supported and empowered to talk about their experiences.”