Global initiative to change menopause policy in the workplace

An initiative to transform global menopause policy in the workplace will be launched at a free Open Door event on 7 September 2021 to mark the 13^th European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Congress, 8 – 10 September.  The event targets Human Resources, Wellbeing and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) workplace leads, and small business owners, and provides an introduction to the menopause information and training EMAS provides. In order to extend the reach beyond Europe, EMAS partner societies from Argentina, Russia and China will raise the issue with their members, with translation provided into Spanish, Russian and Chinese (Mandarin).

More than 850 healthcare professionals from 60 countries are expected to attend the virtual EMAS Congress itself. Experts will share the latest research, scientific updates, and clinical case histories.

Menopause and Work Charter launch

A new Menopause and Work Charter (link: https://emas-online.org/menopause-and-work-charter/) promotes the recognition and consideration of menopausal health in the workplace as part of broader policies on wellness and equality across gender and age.  In 2020, around half – 47 per cent – of the estimated 657 million women in the menopausal age group of 45 to 59, are contributing to the workforce.  There are significant motivations for recognising menopausal women as a talent pool in the labour market. Menopausal women represent a group that are highly experienced, resilient and often ready to embark on the next 15 years of their careers.  Other global trends also mean that this group can counter the challenges of a skills shortage due to an ageing population, lack of investment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills, as well as the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit in the UK impacting global mobility in the labour force.  This means that women experiencing the menopause are an important target group for employers to attract, recruit, engage and retain.

EMAS aims to make all workplace environments more menopause supportive with information and recommendations for both employers and healthcare professionals, for whom the menopause is often a small part of their training. In the wider context of gender equality, EDI and awareness of reproductive and post reproductive health, menopause-friendly organisations stand to strengthen their corporate reputation, improving economic performance through retention of talent and enhanced recruitment.

The 3.89 billion women worldwide experience the menopause at an average age of 51, although it can occur earlier, either naturally, or as a result of illness, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.  Transgender men and women may also experience natural or surgical menopause, which for them can exacerbate experiences of discrimination in a work setting. The severity of menopausal symptoms varies, but their impact can be effectively reduced by appropriate workplace support – see EMAS resources here and EMAS press release, 18 August 2021.

For further information, and contact with spokespeople, please email: [email protected]

Editor’s notes: 

1.  Global consensus recommendations on menopause in the workplace: A European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) position statement, by Rees, M. et al. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.06.006). It appears in Maturitas, volume 151 (Sept. 2021), published by Elsevier.
2.  Menopause in the workplace: Building evidence, changing workplaces, supporting women, by Jack G., Riach, K., Hickey, M., Griffiths, A., and Hunter, M. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.07.001). It appears in Maturitas, volume 151 (Sept. 2021), published by Elsevier.  The studies have been made publicly available and can be downloaded by following the DOI links above. Copies of these papers can also be made available to credentialed journalists upon request; please contact Elsevier’s Newsroom at [email protected].
3.  European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS):  Founded in 1998, the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) has a global membership, and links with 40+ affiliated societies. It promotes health and equal opportunities for women and men at midlife and beyond.

EMAS informs health professionals, researchers, employers and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion specialists through its publications, congresses and educational resources, with accredited online courses and other initiatives. These include:

• EMAS congresses to disseminate cutting edge research;
• EMAS Schools to provide training in clinical practice and research;
• Position Statements, clinical guidelines and practical advice with EMAS care online;
• Postgraduate courses (particularly in less developed countries), scientific symposia, workshops and training programmes, facilitation of collaborative studies, individual training programmes and support and assistance with the promotion of education and research on midlife health and beyond in women and men