Menopause is a natural part of getting older that all women experience at some point. But it can cause a lot of uncomfortable symptoms that make it hard for women to work. This is especially tough for women who work in small businesses because they might not have as much support as women who work in bigger companies. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about how small businesses can help women going through menopause feel more comfortable at work.
Talk about Menopause
Coping with symptoms in the workplace can be hard, especially as many women feel the need to hide their symptoms or pretend that everything is fine when it’s not. There will be some days where symptoms are more manageable than others, but it’s important to understand the impact menopause is having on the women in your small business.
Menopause is a natural process. Being able to talk openly about symptoms and having an understanding is a stepping stone in creating an accommodating workplace and offering relevant support for those coping with the physical and mental changes that accompany menopause.
Make changes to the workplace
Menopause can cause a lot of different symptoms that make it hard for women to work, like hot flashes or feeling tired. Small businesses can help by making changes to the workplace that make it easier for women to cope with these symptoms. For example, they can provide fans or air conditioning to help with hot flashes or let women work from home when they’re feeling tired.
Offer information and support
Small businesses can also offer women going through menopause access to information and support. They can give women information about treatments and counselling services or offer them things like exercise classes or mindfulness sessions to help them feel better.
Look at company policies
Small businesses can also look at their company policies to make sure they’re fair to women going through menopause. For example, they can change sick leave policies to make sure women don’t get in trouble for taking time off because of menopause-related issues. They can also make sure performance reviews are fair and that women going through menopause aren’t at a disadvantage.
In conclusion, menopause can be tough for women, especially those who work in small businesses. But there are a lot of things small businesses can do to help women feel more comfortable at work. By creating a work environment where women feel like they can talk about menopause, making changes to the workplace, offering information and support, and looking at company policies, small businesses can help women going through menopause continue to succeed in their roles.
If you would like to discuss a menopause policy or how you can support your team, book a call with our helpful team.
