Loading...
Home2023-04-18T13:06:52+01:00

Why do we need to talk about menopause in the workplace?

People working through menopause are often at the peak of their experience and knowledge.  Yet, it’s estimated that the impact of menopause in the workplace is costing the UK economy 14 million working days every year and nearly a million people have left their organisation due to symptoms.

Talented, valuable employees are avoiding promotion and even considering retiring early due to the impact of both physical and psychological menopause symptoms, lack of support and concerns about social stigma.

The risk for organisations is huge in terms of loss of talent, reputation and competitive advantage.

However, when employers take action to promote a menopause inclusive environment where everyone feels supported, valued and can openly engage and access support you:

  • Enhance your reputation as an employer committed to improving gender parity.
  • Improve business performance at all levels and through all career stages and positively impact business growth.
  • Position yourself as an inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and perform at their best.

All our menopause in the workplace training programmes are customised to ensure that your people get the best learning experience, and your organisation is renowned as a great place to work where everyone’s voice can be heard.

“Julie’s style is super engaging and she makes a taboo subject accessible for all.”
Jennie Pitt, LNER

“I attended a works Menopause Awareness Webinar today, and it was one of the best training sessions I think I’ve ever seen. I can’t recommend it highly enough!”

Alison Ford, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

“The interaction on the chat box was great, I hadn’t expected so many of our colleagues to get involved.  Your style certainly put people at ease and increased the engagement; thank you!”

Liane Byrne, Sandvik

When you create positive behaviours and conversations around menopause in the workplace you will experience:

  • Enhanced performance

  • Increased career confidence

  • Reduced presenteeism

  • Greater employee engagement

  • More inclusive culture

  • Higher talent attraction & retention rates

  • Better gender equality

  • Lower absenteeism

  • Reduced legal risk

  • Improved resilience and motivation

What organisations say about working with me…

It was an absolute pleasure to invite Julie to our office to hear her excellent and informative presentation on menopause awareness.  We had sought Julie out because of her outstanding reputation on the subject and she absolutely delivered!

The workshop was attended by a selection of staff from across the firm who all wanted to know more about the subject.  Some were more directly affected than others by the menopause but Julie’s enlightening and enjoyable session helped the whole group to learn more about this important topic in an embarrassment-free environment.

I would strongly recommend Julie and her menopause awareness workshop to all employers who want to support their staff and who wish to provide a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

David Rushmere, Machins Solicitors

I found Julie whilst looking for a training provider to help with periods and menopause.  Julie has been a delight to work with, always on hand for questions and so knowledgeable.  The feedback from the training she has provided to the company has been 5 stars.  Everyone has commented on the quality of the training and the likeability of Julie as a trainer.  For me, finding and working with Julie has been such a good experience and Julie has not only helped Royal London but she has helped me on a personal level.  I encourage you to work with Julie for all aspects of menopause.

Julie Collins-Powell, Royal London

At last Menopause is becoming a meaningful part of the employment conversation and there is no-one better to help you ensure you’re getting there within your own organisation.  Julie’s approach is engaging, informative and taboo busting; no question is off limits.  Our managers and staff were lining up to attend once word got out after her very first session with us and she continues to work with us as we endeavour to embed menopause into our daily working lives.

Shone McBride, Epilepsy Society

Julie took the time to meet with us as part of the planning process before delivering the session to better understand our organisation.  On the day, Julie’s delivery was professional and engaging, she pitched her delivery at exactly the right level for our organisation, with a mixture of practical information and anecdotes which put everyone at ease.  The session was well attended with positive feedback from those that attended.  We would highly recommend Julie.

Gary Wenban, Henry Riley

At Optegra we place enormous value on supporting all our colleagues to bring their whole selves to work, creating the conditions for success to ensure they feel confident and happy to achieve their full potential.  As a healthcare business and with a workforce powered by women, any issues which affect our colleagues health and wellbeing demands our focus.

We were delighted to start our Menopause Matters conversation with Julie’s support, knowing that she brought significant experience of working with many businesses to create an understanding of menopause, how it can affect women and work, and what we can all do to support.  The sessions which Julie delivered to our business were engaging, insightful and productive, striking exactly the right tone for us and our colleagues.  There is no doubt Julie is one of the UK’s experts on menopause.  We are looking forward to continuing our work with Julie, to support our colleagues through their menopause.

Amanda Nicholson, Optegra

Julie has engaged with us at Sopra Steria to support our inclusivity agenda, talking about the menopause.  She is insightful, engaging and empathetic.  Her discussions have gone down so well and raised awareness around this subject exponentially.  Personally, she has brought clarity and inspiration in equal measure.  Can’t wait to engage Julie again for our next phase of awareness and inclusion.

Richard Tulley, Sopra Steria

Thank you Julie for the clear and concise menopause webinar that you provided for Action for Children.  It provides an easy to follow and very informative overview of what the menopause is, how it impacts on an organisation and best practice solutions.  Highly recommend.

Siobhan Corria, Head of Inclusion, Action for Children

Julie delivered an interactive, engaging and helpful virtual workshop that started with colleagues being unlikely to talk about menopause at work to at the end of the session feeling confident in asking for support. Both men and women attended the ‘menopause in the workplace’ session as we wanted our male colleagues to be educated on the topic.   Julie definitely achieved this as male colleagues left feeling ‘more informed’ and ‘empathetic’.

One of the attendees summed up the session by saying ‘it was one of the best that I have attended, very insightful and great to know I am not alone’.  Thank you Julie, the session was really great and I highly recommend!

Charlotte Chaston, Network Homes

Julie is a knowledgable and engaging trainer on menopause in the workplace.  I brought her in to provide some specialist support for my clients who are from both the public and private sector and she received positive feedback across the board.  She is easy to work with, flexible and personable.

Rosie Clarke, Senior Inclusion and Diversity Consultant, Inclusive Employers

At Yorkshire Housing we are committed to promoting a working environment of equal opportunity that’s free from discrimination or harassment.  So when staff approached me to ask for training and awareness with regards to menopause we immediately put it in place.

Julie has delivered a series of workshops across all our sites in Yorkshire to support female colleagues experiencing symptoms.  Typical comments collected at the start of each session included confused, exhausted, worried, anxious, forgetful and scared.  By the close of the workshops these feelings had transformed to relieved, informed, confident, in control and optimistic.  We also ran an initial line managers training session which received excellent feedback.

There has been a very quick shift in attitude towards menopause.  We’ve created a yammer group for female colleagues to share experiences and tips, posters have gone up to help raise awareness throughout the organisation and a guide for managers is in development.  At Yorkshire Housing we see menopause at work as an ongoing initiative and part of an annual training programme.

Emma West, Senior People & Development Adviser, Yorkshire Housing Limited

Julie visited our organisation to present and discuss the menopause and ensured it was an inclusive topic and dealt with in a professional and sensitive way. We wanted women to understand more fully the symptoms and triggers of the menopause and ways to manage it. We wanted our male members of staff to understand more fully how they might be able to help female staff during this time and what to be aware of.

Julie was professional, helpful and caring and staff were able to ask more sensitive questions at the end outside of the main session.  The session was a great success and was part of our Health and Wellbeing programme.  With an ageing population and people working for longer, it’s really important to embrace this topic, be proactive and support your staff when and where possible.  I have no hesitation in recommending Julie to other organisations.

Adele Monk, HR Manager, IMC Worldwide

We were keen to raise awareness of the menopause amongst our retail teams and Julie’s Menopause workshop hit the right note.  Julie delivered the information in a friendly, realistic but professional tone providing both practical and balanced advice.  Following the workshops our Retail Managers reported feeling more knowledgeable and  confident about supporting team members going forward.

Tina Wallace, People Manager, Cook

Not only women experiencing symptoms attended but also managers who were keen to understand how best to support staff.  The session was held in the Council Chamber and one of the participants commented ‘it was a momentous occasion in a historic room’.  Julie uses a great mix of fact, humour and personal experience to deliver an interactive session.

Deniece Dobson, Partnership & Relationship Manager VCS, Luton Council

I’ve had the pleasure of attending two menopause workshops run by Julie – one in the office and one online. Both sessions were really engaging due to Julie’s supportive delivery style. We have had excellent feedback from our attendees, many telling me that they feel reassured and pleased that we are highlighting it in the workplace. We’ll definitely be continuing to talk about menopause at work, and have a number of initiatives underway to allow us to do that. Thank you Julie, we can’t wait to invite you back!

Vikki Gilson, Learning and Organisational Development Manager, Catalyst Housing

Recent Articles…