3 reasons HR needs to take note of the menopause at work

Should female employees be given more leeway when they are going through the menopause? There has been a lot of media attention circulating around menopausal leave for workers in the UK, dividing employers as to whether they should give staff additional time off, or not.

A recent article in The Independent put forward three reasons why employers need to recognise how the menopause affects their workforce. With around 25% of women reporting debilitating symptoms, such as extreme pain, it’s essential that HR teams consider the policies their businesses offer.

The Independent states that one of the reasons employers need to recognise the issue comes down to corporate responsibility. Employers need to ensure that their workers have the best quality of working life.

The second reason was the legal responsibility employers have. Any discriminatory practices can be subject to legal action, and could come into conflict with the Equality Act. Finally, the economic value of safeguarding your menopausal employees is rather extensive. The costs of recruiting and replacing a worker who left because of poor care by their employer can surmount to an average of £30,000 – The Independent reports.