Beyond hot flashes: Understanding the complexity of menopause at work

June 17, 2023 | Share this article

The average age for menopause in women is between 45 and 55, but perimenopause can start as early as late 30s. IPG Mediabrands’ head of diversity shares how employers can create a more supportive environment for women closer to menopause.

I’ll be honest. I’m a woman and a diversity, equity and inclusion leader. Those two things should make me more informed on this issue, but it didn’t even occur to me that menopause is something to address in the workplace because it’s just not talked about enough.

We don’t talk about it enough in schools, at work, in media or advertising. When we do talk about it, it’s almost always negative. Many who experience menopause worry that if they talk about something so personal, they’ll become part of a joke, be seen as less competent and that it could jeopardise their job. I don’t blame them for avoiding the double whammy of age and gender stereotypes. Unfortunately, when something like this is taboo, we end up with a lack of information or worse, misinformation.

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