Menopause at Work: What No One's Talking About (But Should Be)

You’re staring at your screen, trying to remember the word for that thing you use to click on other things (yes, the mouse).

You’ve just walked into a meeting and forgotten why. And you’re sweating through your third top before 10 a.m.

Welcome to menopause – now with fluorescent lighting and performance reviews.

If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. If you’re in a workplace that still hasn’t caught up with the reality of what women go through during perimenopause and menopause, then you’re definitely not alone.

The truth is: menopause shows up at work whether we talk about it or not.

Why Is Menopause Still Taboo at Work?

Because we’ve been taught to “just get on with it.” We’ve been told to keep it quiet, stay professional, and not let our hormones get in the way of productivity.

But the reality is different. Menopause symptoms do affect how we show up at work:

• Brain fog that makes you doubt your competence
• Anxiety that makes public speaking feel like a panic attack
• Fatigue that no amount of coffee can fix
• Mood swings that make you question your sanity
• Night sweats that leave you exhausted before the day even begins

And let’s not forget the forgotten meetings, lost words, and emotional wobbles that leave many women wondering if they’re losing their edge (they’re not – they’re just hormonal).

The Stats Don’t Lie

• 1 in 4 women consider leaving their job due to menopause symptoms
• 1 in 10 actually do
• Over 80% say their workplace offers no menopause support

We wouldn’t expect employees to work through chronic illness without support, so why is menopause any different?

What Needs to Change?

Open Conversations

Start normalising menopause in the workplace. Make space for honest discussions. Women shouldn’t feel they have to hide what they’re going through.

Training & Awareness

Managers and HR need proper training to understand the impact of menopause and how to support women without judgment or awkwardness.

Flexible Support

Simple changes like flexible hours, hybrid working, or desk fans can make a massive difference.

Confidential Health Check-Ins

Sometimes, women don’t want to tell their boss everything – and they shouldn’t have to. That’s where professional, confidential check-ins can help.

What I’m Doing to Help

This is where my work comes in. I run Menopause at Work training – both in-person (in Jersey) and online – designed to bring understanding, empathy, and a little humour into the workplace.

I also offer Women’s Wellbeing Health Checks – confidential, supportive conversations where staff can share what’s going on and get personalised advice.

These sessions help to:

• Reduce staff turnover
• Boost morale
• Show your employees you actually care

I’ve worked with schools, law firms, government departments and private companies – and every time, the feedback is the same: “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”

Final Thoughts

Menopause isn’t a personal failing. It’s not something to soldier through alone. It’s a major life transition – and the workplace needs to catch up.

If you’re a woman struggling silently through your workday: I see you.

If you’re a manager or HR lead who wants to support your team better: I’m here to help.

Let’s stop the silence. Let’s start the conversation.

📩 Ready to chat? Get in touch at [email protected] or explore my training options:

Menopause at Work Training – Vitality40Plus

You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Trudi 💕