135 | Why & how to support women experiencing the menopause at work, with Emma Thomas

Menopause is a topic that impacts everyone in the HR and People profession, whether personally or through supporting colleagues. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Emma Thomas, founder of Managing the Menopause, to discuss the importance of understanding and supporting employees through menopause in the workplace.

Emma shares valuable insights on perimenopause and menopause, common symptoms, the business case for supporting employees, legal considerations, and practical strategies for creating a supportive work environment. This episode is packed with data-driven information and actionable advice for HR professionals looking to update policies, improve employee wellbeing, or build a stronger business case for menopause support.

Chapters from This Episode

[00:00] Introduction and Overview

[00:53] Meet Emma Thomas: Menopause Expert

[04:15] Defining Perimenopause and Menopause

[06:47] Common Symptoms of Perimenopause

[09:32] Impact of Menopause Symptoms at Work

[11:35] Research and Business Case for Menopause Support

[20:11] Practical Support for Menopause in the Workplace

[25:03] Book Recommendation: "Revolting Women" by Dr. Lucy Ryan

[26:06] How to Connect With Emma Thomas

Useful Links

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Emma Thomas on LinkedIn
• Emma’s website: Managing the Menopause
• Emma’s podcast: Middling Along

Research and Resources Mentioned

• CIPD 2023 Menopause at Work survey
• CIPD: Menopause at work – guide for people managers
• Deloitte Women at Work 2024 report
• BSI guide on menstruation and menopause in the workplace
• ACAS: Menopause at work
• Cycle of Change: Animation explaining the menopause

Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes

Episode 42: Diversity and Inclusion at Work, Seven Mistakes to Avoid and what to do instead with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey

Book Recommendation From the Episode

‘Revolting Women: Why Midlife Women Are Walking Out and What to Do About It’ by Dr. Lucy Ryan

Looking For the Transcript?

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

Rate and Review the Podcast

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk.

Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kara Connect - Help When It's Needed Most

Menopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they didn't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away.

Kara Connect

Free Strategic HR Sprint

Join the free Strategic HR Sprint and set yourself up for strategic success. 5 easy-to-implement ideas delivered to your inbox across 5 days.

The Strategic HR Sprint