Menopause in the Workplace: A Growing Concern for Indian Employees

As the conversation around menstrual leave gains traction in India, the topic of menopause is slowly beginning to be acknowledged in the workplace. Dr. Sunita Varma, head of the department of gynaecology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, emphasizes that menopause is not just a biological shift, but also deeply impacts emotional well-being. For working women, constant hormonal fluctuations can lead to irritability, poor concentration, and a decrease in work efficiency. Studies have shown that a woman's promotion and salary hike are often impacted after their 50s, further exacerbating their distress.

Key Takeaways:

• 42% of women in the UK have considered quitting their jobs due to menopausal symptoms, according to a 2024 report by the Reward & Employee Benefits Association.
• In Germany, around a quarter of women experiencing menopause have reduced their working hours or exited the workforce altogether, according to research commissioned by Bayer.
• Dr. Sunita Varma emphasizes the importance of sensitisation programmes and inclusive policies that provide flexibility to women during menopause.
• Kailash Nair, a senior manager at EY India, stresses the need for organzational policies to ensure flexible work arrangements for women during menopause.
• Experts recommend incorporating nutrition counselling, mindfulness sessions, yoga, and stress management workshops into wellness initiatives to promote menopause support.
• Mimansa Singh Tanwar, a clinical psychologist at Fortis Healthcare, highlights the importance of recognizing hormonal imbalances during menopause as physiological realities that deserve empathy.

Statistics:

• 1 in 10 women in the UK have left their jobs due to menopausal symptoms, according to a 2023 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
• 42% of women in the UK have considered quitting their jobs due to menopausal symptoms, according to a 2024 report by the Reward & Employee Benefits Association.
• 25% of women in Germany experiencing menopause have reduced their working hours or exited the workforce altogether, according to research commissioned by Bayer.

Sources:

• A 2023 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
• A 2024 report by the Reward & Employee Benefits Association
• Research commissioned by Bayer
• An interview with Dr. Sunita Varma, head of the department of gynaecology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
• An interview with Kailash Nair, a senior manager at EY India
• An interview with Mimansa Singh Tanwar, a clinical psychologist at Fortis Healthcare