Provide support for people with menopause symptoms at work, new report urges

The Menopause Foundation of Canada urges better supports in the workplace—including clinical workplaces—for people with symptoms of perimenopause or menopause. Its new report states these symptoms, when unmanaged, cost the Canadian economy an estimated $3.5 billion a year, partly because people need to reduce their hours or leave their jobs. “As clinicians, we call upon employers to be more knowledgeable and proactive in providing environments that support and retain women in their menopausal years,” reads a statement by the Menopause Foundation of Canada’s medical advisory board. “Together, with the support of qualified healthcare providers, we are confident we can significantly improve the lives of women throughout their menopausal years and positively impact work in Canada.” The Menopause Foundation of Canada is guided by an advisory board of ten physician experts from across Canada. The foundation is urging employers to join its Menopause Works Here campaign, which provides free resources aimed to support people with menopausal symptoms at work. It also provides a playbook of steps that employers can take to support employees transitioning to menopause. The proposed supports include: Medical insurance covering menopause treatments and therapies Flexible workplace policies Adjustments in the work environment for those experiencing menopausal symptoms Education and awareness for employers and employees Read: Do you screen regularly for high-risk alcohol use? New national guideline says you should The report cites a survey of 1,023 Canadian women aged 40 to 60 years old found that: 95% experience menopause symptoms 32% of working women surveyed said their menopause symptoms negatively impacted performance at work 24% said they hid their symptoms at work 48% said they’d be too embarrassed to ask for help at work 67% said they wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking to a supervisor about their symptoms The survey was conducted by Leger Canada in August 2022. Statistics Canada data shows that two million of Canadian workers are women between the ages of 45 and 55—when most women reach menopause. “The report notes that symptoms don’t limit themselves to off-work hours. I see women who try to soldier through without knowing there are safe and effective treatments available, and without enough supports at work. We need to close the menopause knowledge gap and the workplace can help to do that,” said Dr. Wendy Wolfman in a Menopause Foundation of Canada press release. Dr. Wolfman is part of the foundation’s medical advisory board, president of the Canadian Menopause Society and a professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Toronto. Another area of concern is that family physicians are not appropriately compensated for discussions about menopause discussion, said Janet Ko, co-founder and president of the Menopause Foundation of Canada, at the annual conference of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada in Ottawa in June. In August 2023 the foundation conducted focus groups with the B.C. Nurses’ Union to discuss the impact of menopausal symptoms on nurses and what support can help keep nurses working. The Menopause Foundation of Canada report was sponsored by Sun Life. Deloitte Canada conducted the economic analysis. It can be found on the foundation’s website. Read: Have you had the HRT talk yet? New review says docs should pipe up more about menopause symptoms and treatments

Provide support for people with menopause symptoms at work, new report urges

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