In this enlightening episode of The Heald Approach podcast, host Rebecca welcomes Lauren Chiren, CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, to discuss the critical topic of menopause awareness in the workplace. Lauren, a pioneering advocate for menstrual health and menopause awareness, shares her personal journey from a high-ranking executive in financial services to a leading voice in workplace wellness.
Together, they explore how creating menopause-friendly environments can boost employee retention, productivity, and overall corporate wellbeing.
Menopause Awareness and Its Impact on the Bottom Line:
- Importance of supporting menopausal women in the workplace to retain experienced employees.
- How menopause-friendly policies can enhance overall workplace performance.
Challenges in Male-Dominated Industries:
- Specific issues faced by women in sectors like construction, where workplace setups often do not accommodate their needs.
- Strategies to attract and retain female talent in such industries.
Lauren's Personal Journey:
- Lauren's struggle with premature menopause and its effect on her career.
- Her transformation into an advocate for menopause awareness and systemic change in corporations.
Comprehensive Workplace Wellness:
- The necessity of reviewing the entire employee lifecycle to ensure inclusive and supportive policies.
- Importance of educating managers and creating a safe environment for discussing health issues.
Educational Initiatives and Training:
- The role of education in destigmatising menopause and providing better workplace support.
- Upcoming changes in medical education to include menopause training for future doctors.
Creating a Supportive Culture:
- Encouraging open conversations about menopause and other health issues to foster psychological safety.
- The importance of mutual understanding and support among all employees.
- Lauren Chiren: "Creating a workplace environment where people know where to get the right help and support can massively impact attracting and retaining talent."
- Rebecca: "It's not just about heavy workloads or performance management; it's about the whole employee experience from the beginning."
- For Employers: Review and adapt your workplace policies to be more inclusive of women's health needs, including menopause.
- For Managers: Educate yourself about menopause and be proactive in supporting your team members.
- For Employees: Don't hesitate to seek support and open conversations about your health needs at work.
