Menopause At The Workplace: It’s Time For Employers To Break The Silence

Menopause is often seen as a private issue. For many years, people have avoided talking about it, especially in public. But times are changing. Conversations around menopause and its impact on everyday life are becoming more open and honest. It’s time for employers to listen, learn and create supportive spaces for those navigating this natural transition.

The part everybody avoids

Menopause occurs when a woman stops having her periods, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. It’s deeply emotional, too. As someone once said, “Menopause isn’t just biology; it’s your mom grieving the life she once knew.”

It’s a natural part of ageing, yet often hard to describe. One moment, everything feels normal; the next, there’s a wave of tears, irritability or foggy focus. Many women wake up exhausted, struggle to concentrate and find themselves wondering why they don’t quite feel like themselves.

What’s actually going on

Women go through real, physiological changes during menopause. It’s not about being dramatic because their brains are simply navigating a surge of chemical chaos.

As progesterone and oestrogen levels begin to decline, it affects more than just their cycles. These hormones mess with memory, sleep, stress and mood. This transition is real, intense, and still far too rarely spoken about.

Stop the stigma

Menopause symptoms don’t pause at 9 am. They follow women into meetings, presentations, and deadlines. Yet, instead of support, many face silence or stigma. As a result, experienced women often step back from careers they’ve built for decades, leading to a loss of leadership and skill.

Menopause isn’t just personal; it’s a workplace issue. According to the Indian Menopause Society (IMS) 2025, 1 in 10 women leave their jobs due to menopause symptoms. It’s time for leaders, HR and managers to break the silence, offer support and build workplaces where women feel valued, respected and understood. Because when women thrive, organisations do too.

Making the Workplace Menopause-Friendly

Supporting menopause at work isn’t complicated or costly. It just takes awareness and empathy. Small steps can make a big difference. Here’s how employers can help:

Create supportive policies: Offer flexible hours, remote options, additional breaks, or time off when needed.
Build a comfortable workplace: Provide essentials like water stations, rest areas, healthy food options and comfortable uniforms to help women feel at ease.

Train managers: Educate leaders about menopause so they can listen, understand and support employees seeking help.

Encourage open conversations: Normalise discussions through meetings, workshops or awareness drives so employees feel seen and supported.

Menopause shouldn’t push anyone out of their career. Treat it as a natural stage of life. Review your policies, open the dialogue, and lead with empathy. Value your people and support them through every phase.

“When a woman feels unseen during menopause, it’s not her hormones that make her withdraw. It’s the silence around her.”

Authored by Ruchika Rajbans, Founder & CEO, Arechar Group; Creator of Vitagoli | Views expressed by the author are their own.