The Countess of Wessex joins launch of the ‘Menopause Workplace Pledge’ campaign with health charity Wellbeing of Women
Wellbeing of Women is the health charity saving and changing the lives of women, girls and babies. Led by women's voices, we improve health and wellbeing through research, education and advocacy. We imagine a world in which women's lives are not limited by their gynaecological and reproductive health.
Leading women's health charity, Wellbeing of Women, has today launched its 'Menopause Workplace Pledge' campaign, calling on all employers to support women and staff going through menopause in the workplace. In a roundtable event to launch the campaign, The Countess of Wessex, Royal Patron, and Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Chair, spoke about the impact that the menopause can have on women and encouraged all organisations across the country to sign the pledge to support affected employees.
Leading companies such as Bupa, PwC, HarperCollins UK and Santander UK took part in the discussion and representatives shared how each one is taking measures to support staff.
Keynote speaker Natasha Adams, Chief of People at Tesco, said that her company employs 300,000 people in the UK, more than half of which are women. It has guidance and training in place, to help raise awareness of the menopause, and dedicated support for staff. From next year, it plans to introduce a more breathable fabric into employee uniforms to help women with hot flushes.
Gabby Logan, TV news presenter and a former international gymnast, who has previously stressed the need to involve men as part of the conversation, spoke about her experience of the menopause.
A few of the facts:
- Estimates from Bupa suggest that 900,000 women in the UK have quit their jobs due to the menopause and research has shown that many women struggle to manage menopause symptoms in the workplace.
- Three in four women will experience menopause symptoms and one in four will experience severe symptoms, such as anxiety, brain fog, poor concentration, fatigue, hot flushes and irregular and heavy bleeding.
- Many women have revealed that they don’t disclose their menopause – or the difficulty they have working because of it – due to embarrassment, stigma, and the fear that they might be discriminated against or stigmatised by their colleagues or customers.
Speaking about women in the workplace, The Countess of Wessex, said:
“Women having to leave the workplace because of the menopause is tragic. We are fabulous in our 40s, and we are even more fabulous in our 50s, 60s and 70s and we need to celebrate that and keep opportunities going for women. Together, we can support the thousands of women out there who form the backbone of our workforce. We cannot let anyone leave the workplace, feeling that they have got to slope off into the shadows. We have to be able to change that.”
Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Wellbeing of Women Chair, said:
"In the UK, there are nearly 5 million women working aged between 45-60 years. The majority of these women will go through the menopause, which frequently coincides with the peak of their careers, a time when they are at their most successful and productive.
It is encouraging that many employers can and are taking steps to support employees struggling in the workplace. We hope many more will sign our pledge to ensure no woman is left behind.
Through supporting women, employers can help to attract and improve retention of staff, ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce, increase productivity, maximise employee wellbeing and address the gender pay gap.
When we get it right for women, everyone benefits, both in the workplace and beyond.”
Wellbeing of Women is thrilled to announce that its Annual City Christmas Fair will return in person this year on Monday 6 December. The Fair, which has previously raised over £65,000 for life-changing research in a single day, will return to the recently refurbished, majestic Drapers’ Hall in London following a virtual event last year.
Guests will have the chance to indulge in a day of luxurious shopping, as well as a silent auction and a raffle, with a selection of exciting prizes to win. Tickets for the raffle are available to buy online and the silent auction goes live on 15 November.
By shopping at the Annual City Christmas Fair, supporters will be raising money to invest in research, education and advocacy that will change the lives of women, girls, babies and their families. This year, the fair will be opened by the Lady Mayoress at 11am and continue until 8pm, when winners of the raffle and silent auction will be announced.
For more information, please visit the City Christmas Fair website, where entrance and raffle tickets can be purchased in advance.
Are you looking for the perfect candidate for a job role within your home? The Lady’s powerful jobs board is an absolute essential for anyone seeking a domestic staff vacancy, such as a Housekeeper, Carer, Nanny or a position within a private school such as a Matron. Contact our expert team today: Vanessa.smith@lady.co.uk
