Menopause Allyship: A Game-Changer for Workplace Support and Wellbeing
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How Allyship Can Transform Menopause Support in Australian Workplaces
Allyship is the active and consistent effort to support and advocate with others who face inequity, and to advocate for positive change.
Menopause is a challenging time for women as they undergo a biological, physical, mental and emotional transformation. Although every woman will go through menopause at some point, it often remains a taboo topic in workplaces, leaving women without the support they need to manage symptoms, juggle responsibilities, and thrive. In Australia, where awareness and resources are growing, allyship offers a groundbreaking approach to transforming workplace cultures and improving menopause support.
What Is Allyship?
Allyship is the active and consistent effort to support and advocate with others who face inequity, and to advocate for positive change.
With roots in the civil rights movements and social activism, allyship has traditionally been used to promote inclusion for marginalised groups in areas such as race and gender diversity. Research shows that allyship fosters open dialogue, reduces discrimination, and enhances psychological safety, creating more inclusive and empathetic workplaces.
Recognising its potential, Sage Womens Health adapted this concept to address a critical gap in workplace well-being with their groundbreaking Menopause Ally workshop. By applying the principles of allyship, organisations can take meaningful steps toward creating supportive environments for women experiencing menopause.
Why We Need Menopause Allies
A menopause ally is someone who provides understanding, support and advocacy for individuals experiencing menopause, particularly those needing support in the workplace where stigma and taboos can hinder open discussion and support seeking.
Allies confront biases and take action every day to make immediate work environments more inclusive.
Allies can be a bridge between communities - empathising with the struggles of a group, and expressing the needs for change with the majority.
The need for allies is clear:
Prevalence of Symptoms: Perimenopause and menopause significantly impact work lives. A 2021 survey by the Victorian Women’s Health Trust revealed that four out of five women experience at least one menopause symptom that disrupts their work.
Stigma and Silence: Many women are too embarrassed to discuss menopause-related challenges, fearing judgment or being perceived as “weak.” This silence perpetuates misunderstanding and inadequate support.
Menopause allies can break this cycle by empathising with women’s struggles and advocating for systemic changes that normalise menopause in workplace conversations.
A diverse, inclusive workplace ensures everyone feels involved, valued, respected, and treated fairly as part of the workplace culture.
How Allies Can Make a Positive Impact
Research into allyship illustrates that by training allies and promoting allyship, workplaces can unlock several benefits:
Improving diversity and inclusion: A diverse, inclusive workplace ensures everyone feels involved, valued, respected, and treated fairly as part of the workplace culture.
Amplifying voices: Menopause allies intentionally include menopausal women in discussions, seek their input, promote their value and advocate with them
Accelerating action: Allies bring attention to challenges that women face in the workplace and advocate for policies and accommodations that address these needs.
Promoting psychological safety and morale: Open conversations about menopause reduce stigma and create environments where women feel comfortable seeking help.
Providing Access to Support: With more allies in the workplace, women may feel empowered to access resources and accommodations, improving their overall health and wellbeing.
Enhancing Engagement and Work Performance: Empathy and respect for an individual’s experiences can lead to increased engagement, happiness, productivity, and retention among employees.
And, there are statistics to support these claims (1, 2)
It is reasonable to confer these advantages to menopause allyship, an emerging field.
Broader Implications and Applications
The impact of menopause allyship extends beyond individual workplaces
The impact of menopause allyship extends beyond individual workplaces:
Employee Wellbeing and Productivity: Organisations that support menopause enable more engaged and fulfilled workforces.
Cultural Shift: By normalising menopause discussions, workplaces promote inclusivity, empathy, and respect.
Addressing Regional Inequities: In rural and regional Australia, where access to healthcare resources may be limited, menopause allies can help bridge gaps by fostering local support networks and sharing vital information.
These outcomes align with findings from allyship programs in other sectors, which have shown positive impacts on workplace culture and employee satisfaction.
Sage Women’s Health: Pioneering the Way
Sage’s Menopause Ally workshop serves as a foundational step toward creating workplaces that prioritise menopause support. The workshop equips participants with the knowledge and tools to:
Understand the biological, emotional, and professional impacts of menopause.
Advocate with others, for systemic changes that improve workplace support.
Build more empathetic, respectful and inclusive organisational cultures.
The Road Ahead
The potential of menopause allyship to transform workplace support for menopausal women is undeniable. By breaking the silence surrounding menopause, organisations can create environments where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to seek help when needed.
As more companies adopt this approach, we can anticipate a shift in workplace cultures that benefits not only individual employees but entire organisations. This transformation will lead to improved health outcomes, better work experiences, and a more inclusive future for all.
Summary
Menopause allyship is a promising framework for initiating positive change in Australian workplaces. By fostering understanding, empathy, and action, organisations can ensure that women receive the menopause support they need to thrive. With initiatives like Sage’s Menopause Ally workshop, we’re taking the first steps toward a more inclusive and compassionate future.
Ready to Take Action? Learn more about how Sage Womens Health can help your organisation create a more supportive environment for menopause.
References / Citations
Prime, J. and Salib, E. (2018) ‘How men can become better allies to women’, Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2018/10/how-men-can-become-better-allies-to-women
CultureMonkey (2024). ‘Allyship in the workplace’. Available at: https://www.culturemonkey.io/employee-engagement/allyship-in-the-workplace/#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20in%20organizations,has%20at%20least%20one%20ally
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