NEW Podcast: Menopause campaigner, Meg Mathews, urges employers to support women in the workplace

In our fast-growing series of podcasts, Meg Mathews, former first lady of the Britpop scene, talks openly and candidly about her menopause journey and her mission to ensure women get the support they need especially in the workplace

Menopause is a workplace challenge that seriously impacts work life. According to figures from the CIPD*, almost one million women have resigned from their jobs because of menopause symptoms and others have taken up to 32 weeks leave on average to help cope with the symptoms. The cost alone to businesses in terms of absenteeism and performance is highly significant and should not be ignored

In this episode, Tracey Paxton, Vivup’s EAP Managing Director, discusses with Meg the importance of improving menopause education in the workplace and why it is an employer’s responsibility to support their female staff.  Like maternity leave, Meg believes menopausal women should have the option to take time off when needed. Meg speaks frankly about her personal menopause experience and the complete lack of awareness she had previously around the 34 symptoms

Meg’s top tips to employees:

1. Knowledge is power – take control and be informed
2. Be mentally and physically prepared and remember self-love – take time for yourself
3. Talk to your family, friends and work colleagues including your line manager

Meg’s first book ‘The New Hot: Taking on the Menopause with Attitude and Style’ is also a valuable resource with easy to follow tips and techniques and the latest information on hormone therapy. It also includes a handy audit checker for symptoms. For more information check out Meg’s website www.megsmenopause.com

Meg’s top tips to employers and HR leaders:

1. Provide measures to deal with hot flushes – a fan or desk near a window
2. If you have not already done so, consider introducing a menopause policy
3. Education – create safe spaces for menopause to be discussed openly, it is a natural phase in every woman’s life that needs to addressed properly and responsibly

Vivup’s EAP solution provides employers with resources and counselling services that can support workers through the menopause, helping organisations retain and recruit key skills and experience

Learn how your workplace can be a better place for all by emailing enquiries@vivup.co.uk

*Almost a million women have left the workplace due to menopausal symptoms – HRreview*