World Menopause Month
Breaking the taboo around menopause in the workplace.
October is World Menopause Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of the menopause, the symptoms associated and support options available. The menopause can impact people at various stages of life, which in turn can have a significant effect on how they feel at work. Our Head of People, Emma Loizidis, is sharing how we aim to soften that impact and support people here at Fox Agency.
Here at Fox Agency, we are dedicated to fostering open conversations around important topics. The menopause affects over half of the population in the workplace, so we recognize the need to speak openly about it and put measures in place to support those impacted, because even if you don’t experience menopause personally, at some point you will be living with or working with someone who is. We believe that with just a few thoughtful adjustments, we can significantly improve the working lives of women and those affected.
Nearly 80% of women going through menopause are employed. Of these women, almost one million of them have left their jobs, while many others have taken extended absences, due to menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, lack of sleep and heightened anxiety disrupting their days.
By making small changes to the working environment, employers can make a substantial difference and work towards reducing the number of women who feel leave is their only option. The easiest of steps is simply encouraging open dialogue about menopause – this can alleviate some symptoms and help employees find support to continue thriving in their roles.
Here to support
At Fox Agency, our first step was to create a menopause support guide, accessible to all employees – not just women. This guide underscores our commitment to addressing the issue head on, tackling the stigma surrounding menopausal symptoms, and highlighting the support we offer.
We provide menopause-specific sick leave and flexible working arrangements to all, ensuring employees feel supported and protected from discrimination. Employees can request adjustments such as:
- A shift in working hours
- Flexibility to avoid peak commute times
- Remote working
- Reduced working hours
In addition, all employees have access to private health insurance through Vitality, and Peppy, a digital health app providing expert support on menopause, fertility, men’s and women’s health, and more.
Our office environment is designed with comfort in mind, including temperature-controlled spaces and desk fans available on request.
Here to educate
It’s important to us that everyone feels informed, so we host monthly ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions with external speakers on a variety of educational and thought-provoking topics. For World Menopause Month, we’re excited to welcome Julie Dennis from Menopause at Work, who will be sharing her insights and advice with us all.
As a committed advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, we aim to cultivate a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to discuss menopause and its symptoms without fear of embarrassment. This support is all inclusive, to women, men, non-binary and transgender employees. Anyone who is going through or living and working with others going through it.