Becoming a Menopause Ambassador: Championing Change in the Workplace
Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
In today's evolving workplace, supporting employees through all life stages is essential for keeping your employees healthy, happy and productive. One area gaining significant attention is menopause support. Menopause affects every aspect of a person's life, yet most organisations lack in-house skills, knowledge and expertise to provide effective support in this significant life stage.
As more organisations recognise the importance of this issue, the role of menopause ambassadors, champions and allies has become increasingly vital. Let's explore the benefits of becoming a menopause ambassador, what to look for in a training provider, and how you can make a difference.
What is a Menopause Ambassador, Champion and Ally?
At Sage Womens Health, we recognise the need for three different support roles, each with unique levels of reach and responsibility. These roles can work together to create a comprehensive support system, ensuring that a diverse range of employees and their needs are met.
There are different ways in which people can support menopause in the workplace. At Sage Womens Health, we recognise the need for three different support roles, each with unique levels of reach and responsibility. These roles can work together to create a comprehensive support system, ensuring that a diverse range of employees and their needs are met.
A Menopause Ambassador plays an important role in enhancing understanding, leadership, and support for menopause within organisations for the benefit of both employees and employers. At the core, they are key relationship-builders in an organisation who advocate for menopause awareness and support at all levels - working from the governance level (supporting policy, training and resource delivery) to the grassroots level (supporting individuals).
Ambassadors act as a central point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders, promoting communication, connection, and collaboration around menopause issues. They
empower individuals by giving them a voice, raising awareness, and driving positive changes in the workplace, and
inform leaders and managers on best practices, influence policy, promote and/or deliver education, and establish support networks therefore establishing a framework of support, a culture of health, and facilitating improved work design.
To excel in this role, ambassadors must be well-informed, approachable, and skilled at networking.
A Menopause Champion may not be a formal role. They are someone who supports individuals and actively promotes initiatives including training within a company. They may also support the development of workplace guidance, training and linking to resources.
A Menopause Ally is someone who offers assistance, solidarity, and links to resources, but they may not necessarily hold an official position. They may be partners, managers or younger employees, including people who may never personally experience menopause
Who can be a Menopause Ambassador?
While anyone can technically be a Menopause Ambassador, the role requires specific qualities. The ideal candidate is a good communicator, facilitator, and listener who is non-judgmental, optimistic, and trustworthy. If colleagues often seek you out for emotional support or help with complex situations, you likely possess the key qualities for this role.
Menopause Ambassadors should be approachable, empathetic, and skilled at guiding others through challenges. Your ability to provide a safe space and clarity could make you excel in this position, positively impacting your workplace's menopause support approach.
Importantly, an Ambassador's role is not to 'fix' people, give advice, or share personal stories. The most critical skill is listening with empathy, as women experiencing menopause primarily want to be seen and heard.
The Benefits of Being a Menopause Ambassador
There are many personal benefits to becoming a Menopause Ambassador in your workplace such as:
Making a real difference: As an Ambassador, you directly impact the lives of your colleagues, creating a more supportive and inclusive work environment.
Personal growth: You have opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Network expansion: You seek out like-minded individuals across your organisation and industry to champion a common cause, building an aligned network.
Organisational impact: You contribute to improved employee well-being, productivity, and retention.
Beyond personal benefits, your role as a Menopause Ambassador has a significant positive impact on your workplace, particularly for women in the 40-55 age range who are going through menopause transition.
Positive Workplace Impacts
Beyond personal benefits, your role as a Menopause Ambassador has a significant positive impact on your workplace, particularly for women in the 40-55 age range who are going through menopause transition. The support, understanding and initiatives that an Ambassador facilitates can lead to positive impacts such as:
Reducing turnover - up to 26% of women reduce working hours or retire early
Retaining experienced talent
A more supportive environment and sense of belonging
Adjustments that help women manage symptoms and continue working effectively.
Reducing stigma
More informed support from managers and leaders
Improving productivity and reducing absenteeism
Demonstrating commitment to employee wellbeing
Supporting career advancement
Enhancing diversity and inclusion efforts.
Three Steps to Become a Menopause Ambassador
Educate yourself: Learn about menopause and its effects on women in the workplace.
Start conversations: Be curious; speak with colleagues, managers, HR and Safety representatives to gain a deep sense of the sentiment, challenges and opportunities for change, and give you opportunities to expand into a formal role in your workplace.
Seek Training: Ask your workplace to sponsor your place in a recognised Menopause Ambassador Program that will equip you with in-depth, evidence-based knowledge and the relevant practical skills required to support individuals, leaders and organisations.
Many organisations offer menopause champion training, but few offer training to become a Menopause Ambassador.
Menopause Ambassador Training: What to Look For
Many organisations offer menopause champion training, but few offer training to become a Menopause Ambassador. A good Ambassador training program will include:
Comprehensive, referenced and evidenced information on
menopause, its symptoms and impacts in the workplace,
how to support colleagues and managers,
communication and advocacy skills and techniques
How to implement a variety of simple initiatives that will have a big impact
Opportunities for practical skills development, workshopping of ideas, planning and workplace review
Resources and tools to support the Ambassador’s role, and employees
Appropriately qualified and experienced trainers
A completion certificate outlining hours of training and core competencies
Positive reviews and testimonials.
Summary
By becoming a Menopause Ambassador, you can play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive, supportive workplace for all employees. The skills and knowledge you gain will not only benefit your colleagues but also contribute to your personal and professional growth. Take the first step today towards becoming a champion for menopause support in your organisation.
If you are interested in the Menopause Ambassador Program offered by Sage Womens’ Health Contact Us for more information.
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