Workplace Insights: Diversity in Menopause
Focus on Disability – White Paper 1 (July 2024)
We’re delighted to launch our first of a three-part series of white papers around the topic of Diversity in Menopause: ‘Workplace Insights: Diversity in Menopause – Focus on Disability, White Paper 1 (July 2024)’.
The second and third papers will explore Menopause in relation to the LGBTQ+ community and Race. We also acknowledge the intersectionality of menopause with other different protected characteristics which are beyond the scope of our current three papers.
This paper has been prepared by The Diversity Trust; Menopause Spring; Menospace and kindly reviewed by South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network. It forms part of The Diversity Trust’s ‘Think and Do’ Tank, to produce and share research, informed by lived experience, a call for collaboration and an encouragement of positive action for change.
This work originated via an identification of a gap. The Diversity Trust’s Menopause Experts – Haley White (Founder of Menospace) and Stephanie Reid (Founder of Menopause Spring) consultant trainers in Menopause, realised that there was a gap between generic menopause training and it reflecting the real experiences of those experiencing the menopause. There was a huge missing piece – namely the diversity of menopause (and the nuances within this) – these white papers speak to this. This white paper builds a narrative around the existing literature and is augmented by case studies and quotes to add the voices of lived experience.
This is the starting point – but it is a launchpad to enable companies to take their menopause policies and procedures up to the next level, ensuring that they’re grounded in the lived experience of their team at every level.
This work is aimed at employers and workplaces, specifically, diversity and inclusion, HR, learning & development, senior management teams and boards. But we hope it is taken up as a valuable learning and action point by everyone. It is our responsibility to create a culture of inclusion and belonging. While this paper is focused within a UK context, we feel it will likely resonate with those with similar experience around the world, and welcome cross-border learning opportunities to build on this work.
Samantha Renke, Disability Lead for The Diversity Trust remarked, ‘As the Disability Lead for The Diversity Trust and a passionate activist myself, I’m heartened to see the launch of this white paper. I hope that it will be the start of empowering all peri- and post-menopausal Disabled people in the workplace, acknowledging their experiences and building workplaces and cultures that support them appropriately.’
Annie Moon, Deputy CEO of The Diversity Trust, a driving force behind the publication of this paper, remarked, ‘As The Diversity Trust’s Leads for both Corporate Partnerships and Diversity in Menopause, I believe that this white paper presents a golden opportunity for companies serious about creating the best possible work environment for their employees experiencing the peri/post menopause to step up and take action.’
Berkeley Wilde, CEO of The Diversity Trust and Chair of South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network reflecting on the publishing of this white paper commented, ‘As a CEO of an organisation myself, I completely understand the need to validate our team members’ menopause experiences. However, I want to go further than this. It’s about care for our current team members, while creating the right culture for future colleagues. I’m here to urge other business leaders to take note of this white paper and be the change that it advocates for.’
Thank you to everyone from The Diversity Trust, South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network, Menospace, and Menopause Spring who has contributed to this white paper. Special thanks in particular to Dr Michael McKeever, Khesha Patel, and Annie Moon. Special recognition to ‘Joanna’, ‘Roxy’, and ‘Mariah’ who shared their menopause journeys as part of this research.