Author: Zoya Ali BSc MSc
The pandemic saw a sudden change in how we approach work by making remote working the “new normal” , but not without affecting our health.
How has remote working affected employees?
There have been reports of increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression as people try to find a balance between their productivity and home life. This was especially true in cases of caregivers and also parents who had additional responsibility upon the closure of schools and nurseries.
It is well established that stress can impact our hormones. A stressful few weeks can cause this perfectly orchestrated hormone network in our body to fall out of sync, directly affecting how our body functions, which is why you might notice a change in your menstrual cycle, maybe even missing a period!
While stress from the changes in our ways of working undoubtedly had a negative impact on our hormones, working from home had its own advantages when it comes to managing reproductive health symptoms.
Could remote working be highlighting the need for inclusivity?
Up to 90% of people who menstruate experience PMS to some degree, but for some, the symptoms are extremely debilitating and are hard to manage.
A 2021 survey by Yoppie, including 2,267 respondents, found that up to 15% found that people felt they had to hide matters regarding their reproductive health in a physical workspace. 25% of respondents found that remote working alleviated the pressure of having to hide premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other symptoms.
How can you make your workplace more inclusive?
The pandemic made people more aware and in tune with their health. However, in parallel, there were reports of reduced access to reproductive health support as our healthcare services face ongoing and ever-growing pressure. This can disproportionately affect women's health.
To make your workplace more inclusive, you can tackle this problem by helping fill knowledge gaps in your employees’ understanding of their reproductive health. Encourage employees to better understand their own health by providing educational workshops, which also serve to open up the conversation and foster a culture of communication, empathy, and support in the workplace.
The boom in private telemedicine and at-home testing services focused on supporting women’s health helps get rid of the blind spot that exists in public healthcare. Invest in your employees' well-being by offering employees reproductive health testing as a proactive way to get insights into their overall health can empower them to address any symptoms that might be impacting their quality of life at the earliest and make informed decisions about their fertility.
Hertility Benefits for Your Workforce
Hertility Health is shaping the future of reproductive health by giving women the ability to understand and manage their hormone health from menstruation to menopause.
To learn more about Hertility’s Reproductive Health Benefits For Employers, reach out to benefits@hertilityhealth.com or visit our website
