As chief executive of South East Employers, workplace wellbeing matters to me because people do their best work when they feel supported, respected, and able to talk about what affects them. We have made real progress on mental health, with trained Mental Health First Aiders in many local councils, and we are getting better at making adjustments for colleagues managing illness or treatment, including cancers. Yet I still see a gap when it comes to perimenopause and menopause.
Menopause is a normal life stage that can affect sleep, concentration, confidence, energy, and mental health, and those effects show up at work. When we create time and space to talk, people feel seen and managers can respond with practical, respectful adjustments. Open conversation reduces isolation and helps people ask for support sooner, which benefits whole teams and services through better planning, smarter rostering, supportive line management, and steadier service delivery. Experiences differ, so support should reflect that range.
