Supporting our Colleagues
It is currently estimated that nearly six million people in the UK workforce are experiencing menopause. One in four people consider leaving their jobs and one in ten take the decision to step away from work completely.
With the average age to reach the menopause being 51, without adequate support of employers and managers, we risk losing valuable and experienced employees from the workforce.
At Trust Alliance Group (TAG), we estimate that 47% of our colleagues are potentially impacted physically by Menopause, so in 2022, TAG introduced our Menopause Toolkit. The Toolkit was developed to help raise awareness and ensure that our colleagues impacted by menopause feel supported, valued, and heard. By normalising the conversation, we hope to break the silence surrounding menopause and create an environment where no one feels alone in their experience.
In the last year, an estimated 150+ colleagues have accessed the Menopause Toolkit via TAG’s intranet and read about the experience that helped to shape the Toolkit.
Colleague’s Story
"I’d heard about the menopause but never really paid any attention as it didn’t affect me. Then at the age of 46, I started to experience symptoms that could only be described as forgetfulness/brain fog, feeling hot at random times of the day. I went to see my GP who did various tests until I was told I was menopausal - at the age of 47.
It started me thinking about how we support our colleagues who maybe experiencing some of these symptoms as the list of side effects is long!
At the time, we didn’t have a policy or a guide, and whilst the prospect of talking to management was a comfortable idea for me, how would other colleagues feel about sharing as the ‘M’ word was not widely discussed?
As more people continue working well into their 50s, 60s, and beyond, the number of older employees in the workforce is expected to grow. With a life expectancy of 83.2 years in the UK, many spend one-third to half of their lives in the post-menopausal stage, which can have a significant impact on their wellbeing, work, and relationships."
Menopause in the Workplace
Colleagues are not only working through perimenopause and menopause but also managing the demands of home life whilst coping with what can be severe symptoms. This phase of life can affect not just the person experiencing it, but also those around them in the workplace and at home.
At TAG, we are committed to promoting a supportive environment where menopause is openly discussed and where everyone, regardless of gender identity or background, can access the resources they need.
*Menopause statistics source: www.menopausefriendly.co.uk
Want to learn more? We’re happy to help.