🌸 Part 1: The Silent Revolution — Why Menopause at Work Matters

Part 1 of the OMG Menopause at Work series — where we talk frankly, factually, and with a little OMG flair.

Let’s talk about the thing that half the population will experience, but most workplaces still pretend doesn’t exist: menopause.

If that word makes people squirm, that’s part of the problem. Menopause isn’t niche, it’s not embarrassing, and it’s definitely not optional. It’s a biological certainty for millions of women — and some trans and non-binary people too — yet somehow, it’s still the last taboo in many office kitchens and boardrooms.

Here’s the OMG part: 8 out of 10 women say their company has done nothing to help them during menopause. Nothing. Not even a quiet conversation or a policy update. Meanwhile, the economic cost of ignoring it is staggering — around $26 billion in the U.S., $10 billion in the U.K., and $7.4 billion in Australia in lost productivity every single year.

That’s not just a women’s health issue. That’s a business issue.

Why it affects everyone

If you’re not currently in menopause, you know someone who is — a colleague, a friend, a partner, a manager. Maybe even the person who signs your pay slip. Menopause touches everyone.

And yet, most people don’t know what’s really happening to the body during this transition. It’s not just hot flushes and fans at desks. It can affect energy, focus, sleep, memory, and mood — all the things that make us good at what we do.

Ignoring menopause doesn’t just hurt women; it costs organisations talent, experience, and empathy.

Why we’re here

We’re in the middle of a cultural shift. Finally, the conversation is opening up — and not just in hushed tones. From government inquiries to global campaigns, more people are waking up to the fact that menopause shouldn’t be a barrier to anything — and that real support and help are finally out there. You might still have to look for it, but with more women asking questions, pushing for answers, and being better informed, it’s certainly easier to find than it has been over the last couple of decades.

But there’s still work to do. Awareness alone isn’t enough. We need:

Knowledge – so we understand what’s happening to our bodies.
Empowerment – so those of us in it don’t feel isolated or ashamed.
Systems of support – so workplaces actually back it up with action.

Every woman deserves a good and healthy menopause — and workplaces that get this right create stronger, more supportive cultures for everyone.

Because here’s the truth: when we create environments where everyone can thrive — whatever life stage they’re in — everybody wins.

💖 OMG Takeaway:
Let’s start by simply acknowledging it. Say the word out loud: menopause. Once we can talk about it openly, everything else — policy, support, culture — becomes possible.

OMG: The Women's Health Brief