A ‘Menopause Champion’ at Work? Yes. You Also Get Paid Leave.

LONDON — A British broadcaster is prioritizing women’s health by rolling out a raft of measures to aid those dealing with a subject that is rarely discussed freely and openly in the workplace: menopause. Channel 4, a national television station in Britain, announced Friday that it would offer its female employees flexible working arrangements, tailored work spaces and even paid leave if they experienced menopause symptoms. Common symptoms include hot flashes, heavy periods, low mood, increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping, joint pain, and problems with memory and concentration often referred to as “brain fog.” They can persist for years and are both physical and psychological, and about 80% of women will experience them in some form, according to the British National Health Service. Menopause — a natural part of aging that is caused by a drop in the production of estrogen — typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. “This is Channel 4 living its remit, normalizing a taboo subject by making it more visible,” Channel 4’s chief executive, Alex Mahon, said in a statement. Mahon, the first woman to be chief executive in Channel 4’s 37-year history, added that she hoped the policy would inspire other media companies to support women in their workplaces going through menopause. Advertising The broadcaster says that its menopause initiative — pioneered by an in-house gender equality staff network — is the first known among British media companies. While some workplaces have introduced lactation rooms for breastfeeding mothers and free period products in bathrooms, they have been slow to accommodate or recognize the battles that older women face during menopause. Dr. Philippa Kaye, a London-based physician and author of “The M Word: Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause,” said that more companies needed to take action. “There is a significant […]

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