Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusivity in the Workplace: Addressing Menopause and Women's Health

November 24, 2022 - 1 Minute 30 Seconds

Image of 2 female colleagues smiling during an ongoing presentation

Discussing personal health issues with managers and coworkers can be a sensitive and difficult topic, especially when you're unsure of how it will be received. Despite this, we all can contribute to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can feel comfortable sharing and expressing themselves.

Lauren Chiren, Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, recently spoke with us about the importance of understanding menopause in the workplace. As an industry-leading expert and driver for change, Lauren has been committed to raising awareness and normalizing conversations on women's health in the workplace. Here are some of her key takeaways:

Why is it important to understand menopause?

People who experience menopause are working in a later stage in their life than potentially many of their colleagues and coworkers. To ensure an inclusive and equitable work environment, we need to educate everyone on the effects and signs of menopause, creating the right culture and environment where everyone can flourish and be supported.

How can we be more understanding to our colleagues and peers when they may be undergoing a difficult period in their life?

Take time to connect and get to know each other. It is important to be sensitive to the nuances in a colleague's behavior and know the difference when we should offer a listening ear or show direct support to our colleagues, or indeed know when we should ask for help.

How can people managers be more supportive and inclusive, especially in regards to menopause and women's health?

By learning about the life stages of someone who is assigned female at birth. It is also important to be sensitive to non-binary, gender questioning and transgender colleagues, who may experience these life stages and understand how to have sensitive conversations, while also ensuring that you are both aware and can guide colleagues to resources and information that accommodate their needs.

To learn more about menopause and Lauren's story visit her website.

Disclaimer

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