From Taboo to Talking Point: Menopause at Work

This Menopause Day feels like the right time to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come in talking about menopause – and how far we still have to go. Thanks to people like Mariella Frostrup and Davina McCall, who have all spoken so openly about their own experiences, the subject has finally started to come out of the shadows. But for many of us, the workplace is still the hardest place to be honest about what we’re going through.

I know that all too well. I went through an early menopause at just 38, as a result of breast cancer treatment. At the time, I was working as a newspaper editor in a very male-dominated environment. I was lucky in one respect – my company gave me a year’s paid leave to recover from the cancer treatment – but when it came to menopause symptoms, there was no recognition, no policy, no support.

I struggled with hot flushes, mood swings and terrible anxiety for years. And yet the thought of mentioning “the menopause” to my line manager filled me with absolute dread. I just kept quiet and pushed through, which I now realise is what so many women felt they had to do.

Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to say things are different at Bell Ingram. We’ve introduced a Menopause Policy that acknowledges the reality of what colleagues may be experiencing and makes adjustments to make life easier – whether that’s flexibility around working patterns, tweaks to the physical environment, or simply knowing that it’s okay to have that conversation.

We also have a Menopause Group that meets regularly on Teams. It’s a safe, friendly space where colleagues can share experiences, tips, or just a bit of moral support. That sense of community can make such a difference, especially when you’re dealing with symptoms that can feel overwhelming and isolating.

For me, the biggest change is that we’re finally saying out loud: menopause is a workplace issue, and it shouldn’t be taboo. If we can keep the conversation going, and make sure women don’t have to go through what I did in silence, then that’s real progress.