Journalist and UK government menopause advisor Mariella Frostrup joins the CIPD for a special webinar on championing reproductive and women’s health in the workplace
The CIPD hosted a special webinar on 15 September on empowering workplaces by championing women’s health and reproductive health.
We were proud to be joined by journalist and the UK government’s Menopause Employment Ambassador Mariella Frostrup. Mariella urged employers and policymakers to remove the taboo around women’s health and make it central to workplace policy.
Speaking alongside Claudia Nicholls, Chief Customer Officer at Simplyhealth, and Kevin Lyons, Senior HR Manager at Pearson, Mariella described her own experience as the driver behind her work to improve menopause awareness and support.
The event closely followed the launch of the latest CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work report supported by Simplyhealth. This widely publicised report showed that UK employees now take an average of 9.4 days’ sickness absence a year, up from 7.8 in 2021. Mental health issues remain the key driver behind these statistics, but reproductive and women’s health issues are increasingly being recognised as significant factors.
The good news is that the report also found more employers are investing in employee wellbeing. And of those that do, nearly 40% saw a reduction in sickness absence.
“When you put something in the workplace, it gets used and it works. So, it makes economic sense, if nothing else, for managers and employers to create an open and supportive culture.”
During the webinar, the panel explored how employers can create inclusive, supportive workplaces by recognising and addressing reproductive and women’s health issues. This includes menopause, menstrual health, fertility and caring responsibilities.
A key takeaway from the session was that women’s health must move from being a hidden, private matter to a day-to-day workplace consideration. The panel urged organisations to break this taboo by helping managers understand the right language to use, creating safe spaces for discussion and making it clear that there is no need to suffer in silence.
Women over 50 are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce, bringing vital skills and experience. The panel discussed evidence from the CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work report that employers who invest in wellbeing experience measurable results, with nearly 40% reporting reduced absence. As such, supporting the health of this growing workforce isn’t just a moral obligation; it makes clear business sense too.
“In terms of policies, Pearson has a menopause policy and guide. I think those are incredibly important for organisations to look at. What it does is allow the conversation to take place. The organisation is saying: This is important.”
Sharing her personal experience of perimenopause, Mariella described the lack of support and information as untenable. She argued that menopause is a window into women's journey through work and life, highlighting how workplaces have been designed without such biological realities in mind.
“What I understood was that there was this compulsory stage of women's lives that was absolutely covered in shame. Nobody wanted to talk about it. As a result, there was very little information about it.”
As the discussion unfolded, the panel urged employers to take a holistic approach, covering menstruation, fertility, pregnancy loss, menopause and caring responsibilities. Mariella also called for government and financial institutions to play their part, from including menopause in health checks to rethinking parental leave and pension policy.
They also considered some examples of workplace progress, including a menopause support group, access to specialist GPs and work towards menopause-friendly accreditation.
With our research showing that sickness absence is on the rise, workplace wellbeing has never been more important. While many organisations are taking steps in the right direction, there is still much more to do.
People professionals are uniquely placed to shape healthier, higher-performing workplaces. But for them to lead effectively, their own wellbeing must be a priority too. That’s why we’re committed to equipping HR and people leaders with the knowledge, tools and resilience to make a positive and lasting impact. Throughout September and October, we’re running a special ‘Focus on’ employee health and wellbeing, bringing together a wide range of practical resources.
In October, we’re looking forward to hosting two dedicated wellbeing events where you can join fellow professionals in exploring practical, strategic approaches to improving wellbeing.
How to provide effective support for employees experiencing the menopause
A guide for people professionals to provide effective support
This report explores experiences of menopause at work and examines the type of adjustment and support that can be most helpful
