Nine in 10 (91%) women would stay longer with employers that support midlife health, according to research by online CV builder LiveCareer UK.
Tts Midlife divide report, which surveyed 898 working women, also found that flexible schedules (58%), paid leave or mental health days (56%), and more women in leadership roles (54%) were ranked as the most impactful forms of support.
When asked what else would make them feel more supported at work, 37% of respondents said manager training on the menopause, 25% said health insurance that covers menopause-related care, and 8% said peer groups or safe spaces for discussion.
Nearly a quarter (23%) said they feel the menopause is still misunderstood and insufficiently addressed in the workplace.
In the absence of targeted workplace benefits, respondents rely on personal strategies to manage symptoms and maintain productivity. These include seeking therapy or mental health support, and exercise or nutrition changes (58%), using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other medication (52%), relying on supplements or alternative medicine (40%), and adjusting their working hours to cope (29%).
However, just 6% said they are not taking specific action to manage symptoms and maintain productivity, while fewer than 2% stated their symptoms have not affected their work.
More than two-thirds (68%) said gender and age influence how seriously their health concerns are taken at work, with 22% citing gender alone and 8% noting age as the primary factor. Conversely, only 2% believe neither gender nor age plays a role.
Jasmine Escalera, career expert at LiveCareer UK, said: “Menopause shouldn’t be a career limiter. When organisations normalise the conversation and provide meaningful support, they’re not just helping women, they’re protecting their leadership pipeline and building a stronger, more inclusive culture.”
