The figures are clear: nine in ten women say menopause has affected them at work, one in ten have left work because of their symptoms, and one in four do not feel supported by their managers. This makes menopause a workplace issue, not simply a personal health matter. When symptoms lead someone to leave work, employers risk losing valuable skills, knowledge and experience. When people feel unable to ask for support, they may be managing challenges that affect their concentration, confidence and ability to work effectively without anyone understanding why. The question is not only how organisations raise awareness, but how they create the conditions for people to stay, contribute and thrive.

The session began with an introduction from Tina Yates, People & Culture Business Partner and menopause awareness champion within the Women@ISS colleague network. Tina shared her experience of early-onset perimenopause, bringing a personal perspective to a subject that can still be difficult to discuss, particularly in the workplace.

“Menopause is a significant life transition, not an illness,” Tina said. “But recognising that should not mean minimising its impact.” Nor is it a conversation only for those experiencing it directly: partners, families, friends and colleagues all have a part to play.

“You don’t need to be an expert to support someone,” she continued. “Noticing when a colleague isn’t quite themselves and asking what would help, rather than assuming, can change how they feel about coming to work. When people feel seen and supported, they are more able to thrive.”

The distinction between what others see and what someone is experiencing was a recurring theme. Marlies Hoogeboom, Segment Director for Financial Services at ISS UK & Ireland and executive sponsor of Women@ISS, shared her own experience of initially not recognising the symptoms of perimenopause. Through her own research and conversations with friends and medical professionals, she gradually developed a better understanding of what she was experiencing and the steps she could take to address it.

“My own experience showed me how difficult it can be to make sense of perimenopause without clear, useful information. For me, it wasn’t one symptom or a single moment in time, but a range of changes over several years,” said Marlies Hoogeboom. “Through my own research and conversations with friends and medical professionals, I began to understand what was happening and feel more in control exploring solutions that would help me. Everyone’s experience is different. As colleagues and leaders, we don’t need to have all the answers. We need to listen, avoid assumptions and ask what would help.”

She also explored how myths about menopause can add to the confusion, making it harder for people to recognise their own experience or understand someone else’s. There is no single menopause experience: symptoms, their intensity and their impact can vary considerably between individuals and change over time. What appears to colleagues as a change in confidence, concentration or behaviour may reveal very little about what someone is actually navigating.

For managers, that distinction matters. A change in how someone works should prompt a supportive conversation, not an assumption about their capability or commitment. A culture where people can ask for help without fear of judgement makes it easier to identify practical support before difficulties escalate.

That supportive culture needs to be inclusive. Jenny Haskey widened the conversation to inclusion, encouraging colleagues to keep an open mind about who might be experiencing menopause. While changes associated with puberty and pregnancy are more readily acknowledged, the impact of fluctuating hormones during menopause is not always met with the same understanding.

“It was a real privilege to be part of ISS's event and genuinely heartwarming to see such a strong commitment from colleagues of all ages and genders, across so many different parts of the business, coming together and engaging so openly in conversations about menopause,” said Jenny Haskey, Chief Executive of The Menopause Charity.

“What particularly stood out was the openness of senior leaders in sharing their own very personal experiences. That willingness to be vulnerable is so important in shaping workplace culture, helping others feel more comfortable talking about women's health at work and seeking support.

“Creating truly inclusive workplaces means making sure everyone feels part of the conversation. I'm excited to see how ISS builds on this through its ‘Don't Assume. Ask!’ campaign, continuing to normalise conversations about menopause in the workplace and finding ways to engage and support colleagues across the whole organisation, recognising that not everyone works behind a desk or experiences the workplace in the same way.”

Inclusion also means considering how and where people work. Jenny highlighted the importance of normalising comfort breaks and time for self-care, including for remote workers. A supportive culture needs to make those everyday needs feel acceptable, rather than something people must explain away or conceal. In practice, that means looking beyond awareness campaigns to the routines and expectations that shape someone’s working day.

Attendees left the event with a clear call to action: notice without labelling, listen without judgement, ask what would help, and follow through on what you say you will do.

For employers, the challenge is to turn awareness into consistent action: equipping managers to respond confidently and making support part of everyday working life. At ISS, for example, the Menopause Together support toolkit and working group help colleagues and managers access information and practical guidance. After all, supporting colleagues through menopause is about more than having an open conversation — it’s about retaining talent and experience, helping people work effectively and building a culture in which asking for support is a sign of trust, not a professional risk.

Being seen should not mean being singled out. It should mean being understood, included and supported, so that every workplace is a space where people can thrive.

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For media enquiries:
Jonny Bisby | jonny.bisby@uk.issworld.com | Tel: +44 (0) 7542 269 965

About ISS:
ISS is a leading workplace experience and facilities management company, operating in more than 30 countries, with more than 27,000 employees across the UK and Ireland. ISS provides workplace solutions that contribute to better business performance and make life easier, more productive and enjoyable, delivered by people who care.