Employers don’t know how to deal with menopause concerns, survey reveals

Four in 10 employers lack clear procedures for supporting staff experiencing menopause, despite growing openness about the issue, a recent employee survey has revealed.

A survey of HR professionals found that 42 per cent reported no clear approach to workplace menopause concerns, while just 5 per cent felt menopause-related concerns or complaints were handled consistently within their organisations.

Manager training was identified as the biggest gap in support by 35 per cent of respondents.

The findings, from employment law firm WorkNest, suggest that employers’ procedures have not kept pace with employees’ willingness to discuss menopause.

Almost two-thirds of respondents, 64 per cent, said employees were broadly comfortable discussing menopause at work.

One in five, 21 per cent, said the subject was discussed openly, while only 5 per cent reported that employees were very reluctant to raise it or considered it taboo.

The figures contrast with similar polling by WorkNest in 2022, when 31 per cent said managers and employees were entirely reluctant to discuss menopause and only 15 per cent reported open discussions.

Vedette Rees, HR consultant at WorkNest, said: “We are seeing real progress in workplace culture and openness when it comes to menopause. A few years ago, menopause was something most people wouldn’t mention at work. Now employees feel more able to speak up, and that’s exactly what employers should want.”

However, she warned that clear processes and manager confidence were still lacking in many workplaces, meaning employees could receive different levels of support depending on whom they approached.

The findings come ahead of equality action plans becoming mandatory for employers with 250 or more employees from spring 2027.

The research was also published to coincide with World Menopause Day on 18 October, drawing attention to workplace support for employees experiencing menopause symptoms.

Separate research from the British Standards Institution (BSI), cited by health and safety firm Croner, found that 49 per cent of people experiencing menopause or menstrual health-related challenges said their employer had offered no relevant support.

Only 38 per cent felt confident that their employer would help them find a solution.

Croner urged employers to consider whether workplace conditions could worsen menopause symptoms or affect employees’ ability to work safely.

Chris Wagstaff, director of health and safety at Croner, said: “Menopause itself is not a workplace hazard, but employers should consider whether working conditions could worsen symptoms or affect an employee’s ability to work safely.”