By Kat Anastasiou, Senior Project Manager at The Team
Around 80% of women experience menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, headaches, low mood, anxiety and heart palpitations). Naturally, these are likely to negatively impact a woman’s life – including her work life.
Historically, many have felt they need to “put up and shut up”, that they can’t speak up about the menopause since they feel they either won’t be taken seriously or may be discriminated against at worst; or that at best, their workplace simply doesn’t have protocols in place for who to speak to, or menopause-specific sick leave policies.
This poses huge problems for women who are forced to suffer in silence, and who face inadequate provisions at work for something that will happen to just over half of the population at some point in their life.
Menopause is something that companies need to finally take seriously, and compassionately. We should be able to talk about menopausal symptoms in the same way we discuss other health issues. That means education for men and younger women too, since many have little understanding of what menopause entails until they reach it.
Companies need to acknowledge just how much the menopause impacts their female staff and what can be put in place to make everyone’s lives easier, from the women themselves experiencing menopause to those creating staff policy documents to line managers and trainers. Widespread ignorance around the menopause creates a culture of fear around speaking up honestly about the menopause and how it impacts women – a culture that needs to be changed, and hopefully, we’re moving in the right direction.
At creative brand and communications agency The Team, we recently created a series of ten menopause-focused videos for IBM, each featuring a woman from a different country around the world.
The films are an honest appraisal of what it is like living and working with the menopause. Together with a series of podcasts, they are designed to make all IBM staff more conscious of the challenges that colleagues face at work.
Many women who were interviewed for the IBM project reported that workplaces exhibit a lack of knowledge from wider staff members around exactly what the menopause is and what it means for those going through it. Few realise, for instance, that menopause is actually a single day (the day that marks a year since their last period); or that symptoms can last from anywhere from around four to 12 years (though a few women don’t experience any symptoms at all.)
In terms of talking about the menopause at work, this is a first for IBM as it leads the way in opening up the discussion about this topic. It’s going to be fascinating to see how the films land: in some ways, it doesn’t matter – as long as it starts a conversation.
IBM isn’t the only big company that’s starting to make strides toward a more supportive workplace for women working through menopause. This year, NatWest provided written evidence to a UK Parliament committee acting as a best practice example and offering businesses advice on how to factor in the needs of employees going through the menopause.
NatWest – which recently signed up to the Menopause Friendly Accreditation – has brought in a number of external speakers to run informative sessions about the menopause as part of its more wide-ranging reproductive health campaign.
It’s also worked with Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace to facilitate line manager training; created an internal colleague film featuring male and female colleagues discussing their experiences of menopause; launched a virtual peer-to-peer discussion space dubbed the Menopause Café for colleagues, as well as a ‘Menopause Chatroom’ on its intranet; and reviewed its absence policy to include reference to menopause-related symptoms.
Companies need to take gender equality seriously – that means taking the menopause seriously. It’s in their best interests, in terms of fairness and human decency, but also in terms of their bottom line: according to Forbes, “companies with low rates of both gender and racial diversity are 29% more likely to make less money.”
It’s all about changing the culture of an organisation, which might look like implementing training and advice for all colleagues and doing away with the immature and dismissive way we talk about women’s health generally once and for all.
A creative brand and communications agency, The Team are experts in employee experience and brand activation. As a client facing Senior Project Manager, Kat collaborates with brands and internal teams, working closely with IBM as well as Scope and Natwest to develop and elevate their diversity campaigns.
June
18jun10:0016:00Legal Essentials: Supporting Women at Work
18/06/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+00:00)
Did you know that tribunal claims related to menopause, menstruation, fertility treatment and pregnancy loss are rising fast? Many employers don’t realise that these issues can
Many employers don’t realise that these issues can legally qualify as a disability under the Equality Act.
Yet most of these claims are avoidable with the right training, policies and action.
That’s why I’ve partnered with employment lawyer Hannah Strawbridge to deliver a full-day, live online course designed specifically for HR, DEI, and managers.
You will be able to:
Understand your legal obligations around women’s health issues
Recognise when they may be classed as a disability under the Equality Act
Take practical steps to reduce legal and reputational risk
Learn how to avoid tribunal claims
Handle health-related conversations and workplace adjustments with confidence
Create a legally compliant Women’s Health Action Plan
Whether you’re reviewing your current policies or building a strategy from scratch, this course will give you the legal clarity and practical support you need.
DATE: Wednesday 18th June
TIME: 10.00am – 4.00pm
PLACE: Zoom
19jun18:0021:00Discover How You Can Make a Difference at our eCubed Volunteer Social
19/06/2025 18:00 - 21:00(GMT+00:00)
Arch One
83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Whatever your interests or skills, there’s a place for you on our passionate volunteer team. Together, we run inspiring
Join us for a relaxed evening of drinks, nibbles, and conversation with the eCubed team. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do, how we do it, and the charities we champion.
Curious about getting involved? This is the perfect chance to throw yourself into the eCubed experience and see if it’s the right fit for you. All you need is a can-do attitude and a passion for creating positive change—everything else is a bonus.
Day : Thursday 19th June, 2025
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location : Arch One, 83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Simply register below, let us know any guests you’d like us to bring. We can’t wait to meet you. You’re guaranteed to meet some awesome people and hopefully be inspired to get involved or even share some new ideas – no pressure, no obligation.
26junAll DayThe Brilliance Summit 2025
26/06/2025 All Day(GMT+01:00)
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms
The Edinburgh Suite, 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5DA
We’re proud to announce our partnership with The Brilliance Summit, an electrifying one-day event for women in leadership
This isn’t just a summit—it’s a movement.
“At The Brilliance Summit, women show up, speak up, and level up. They shake off limitations, own their presence, and lean into their next level.”
Taking place in London on Thursday, 26th June this transformative event is curated for ambitious women who lead, whether that’s in the boardroom, the business world, or within themselves.
Here’s why this matters:
We’ve seen the power of what happens when women are given space to show up fully—and this is that space.
As partners, we’re excited to offer our community a discounted ticket.
Use code WeAreTheCity2025 at checkout to access your exclusive rate.
Grab your ticket now at www.thebrilliancesummit.com
Let this be the moment you stop waiting and start owning your brilliance.
26jun08:0017:00WeAreTech Festival | Hybrid Conference
26/06/2025 08:00 - 17:00(GMT+01:00)
etc.venues, St Paul's,
200 Aldersgate St, Barbican, London, EC1A 4HD
As a hybrid event dedicated to empowering women in technology, our festival continues to break barriers and redefine industry norms. This year promises an even more exhilarating experience as we bring together women from diverse backgrounds and experiences to share knowledge, inspire one another, and create new opportunities for growth and advancement in the tech industry.
The WeAreTech Festival is a beacon of inspiration for women in the tech industry, urging them to confidently stride forward in their careers. Our goal is simple yet profound: to inspire and motivate every attendee to take bold steps towards their professional aspirations.
Throughout the day, you’ll have unparalleled access to the wisdom and insights of senior leaders in the tech field. Engage with thought-provoking discussions through our panels, where you can contribute your perspectives and glean invaluable knowledge from industry experts.
But that’s not all. The afternoon sessions are designed to put you in the driver’s seat of your learning journey. Tailor your experience to your needs and interests, shaping your path towards growth and success in the tech world.
And let’s not forget the added perks of speed networking and mentoring. Connect with like-minded individuals, forge meaningful relationships, and gain invaluable guidance from seasoned professionals who are eager to support your journey.
At the WeAreTech Festival, we believe in empowering women to embrace their potential and seize every opportunity that comes their way. Join us, and let’s embark on this transformative journey together.