One in ten women quits because of menopause: What really matters to midlife women at work

Right now, the bodies of around nine million women are hormonally adjusting to a new phase of life—one without ovulation and menstrual cycles. Menopause begins around age 45 and lasts an average of seven to ten years. For one in three women, this hormonal ups and downs is accompanied by sleep disturbances, mood swings, exhaustion, hot flashes, and various other symptoms. Symptoms that affect and limit them not only in everyday life but also in their careers, at an age when most women are at the peak of their careers.

When discussing menopause, it's important to also address the associated stress and the well-being of women in the workplace. After all, it affects nine million workers on whom Germany urgently depends. Nevertheless, many women are forced to retire early (around 20 percent) or reduce their hours (24 percent) due to their symptoms, according to the MenoSupport study conducted by HRW in Berlin . One in ten women quits their job due to these symptoms. One in three to four women between the ages of 45 and 55 are considering giving up work, reducing their hours, or taking a lower-paying job.

When asked what symptoms the respondents had experienced, almost 95 percent reported suffering from mental and physical exhaustion, and almost as many reported sleep disorders. They feel less valued, less productive, and thus less confident at work. Yet, this is often not discussed: "Over half of the women surveyed say that menopause is still a taboo topic in companies," confirms project leader Professor Andrea Rumler.

Employers benefit from experienced employees

More than 2,000 women between the ages of 26 and 67 were interviewed for the survey. The study shows that one in four women has to cut back on their careers during menopause . Therefore, the menopause factor urgently needs more attention. This would benefit not only women but also employers. "If companies do more for women in menopause, they will have very well-trained, very experienced employees," explains Andrea Rumler of the Berlin School of Economics and Law. Menopause, she says, is not an illness, but merely a phase of physical change. If women receive support during this time, they will be able to return to work productively later on.

But what measures help women during menopause?

1. Educating women: Even those affected are ignorant of this highly complex topic, and this results in a sense of helplessness. At the same time, this is already a preventative measure against secondary illnesses such as depression or type 2 diabetes, explains health educator Nicole Dohrwardt in the podcast "MENO AN MICH."
2. Raise awareness among employees: A positive culture of dialogue about menopause is invaluable. A contact person can be trained for this purpose. At the same time, it helps enormously if the symptoms are removed from the stigma, both for the women affected and for their colleagues in dealing with them.
3. Follow-up questions: Women generally know what works for them. Flexible working hours are helpful for many. This allows them to work when they're feeling well and take more breaks on days when they're not feeling so well.
4. Fans, showers at work, adapted food in the canteen, and similar measures: these are quite easy to implement and also benefit all other employees.

The MenoSupport research project aims not only to address the health challenges faced by women during menopause, but also to encourage companies to create a menopause-friendly work environment. "We hope that Germany will follow this international trend and that companies will recognize that supporting women during this phase of life makes not only ethical but also economic sense," says Prof. Dr. Rumler.

The software company SAP, which has already launched major information campaigns on the topic of menopause, is considered a role model nationwide. For 25 years, it has offered individual health counseling for women, supplemented by internal information and specific events on menopause. SAP focuses on accessibility, exchange, and networking among women for personal exchange. "These insights show other women that they are not alone, and that we at SAP address the challenges women face openly," explains Dr. Natalie Lotzmann, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Human Resources at SAP, in an interview with wexxeljahre.

The study now further underscores what is already part of everyday work at SAP. Awareness of the challenges women face during menopause must be raised. "Women's health is a previously neglected field in research and occupational health management. Our study clearly demonstrates the need to develop innovative workplace health promotion measures for women during menopause and to promote open communication on this topic," emphasized Prof. Dr. Rumler.

jba Brigitte

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