Haymarket continues its commitment to support anyone experiencing symptoms of menopause

On World Menopause Day 2022, Haymarket is completely committed to raising awareness of the menopause and making its working environment as supportive and comfortable as possible for those expericing symptoms. 

Last year, Haymarket introduced its menopause policy to support anyone affected by the menopause. With support from ‘Balance’ one of its DEI Networks, the policy also exists to help colleagues and line managers understand how they can support employees during this time, as well as guidance and practicalities to make sure people feel comfortable at work and conversations about the menopause are normalised.

To further solidify its support, Haymarket has signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge and commits to talking openly, positively and respectfully about the menopause, and actively helping employees experiencing symptoms. 

Menopause is a natural part of life and can be a difficult time, but the right support can make the transition easier. The menopause affects 50% of the workforce yet it is still a taboo subject in many organisations. That’s why it’s so important to speak regularly and openly about the menopause and its symptoms and make it part of the every day conversation. 

Haymarket’s brands have also been vocal on covering the menopause, provding news, updates and helpful information for their audiences:

MIMS looks at how the prescribing of HRT has increased dramatically in the past year. In addition to a jump of 35% in HRT prescription items from 2020/21 to 2021/22, the number of identified patients receiving HRT grew by 30.5%, from 1.48 to 1.93 million. Data gathered for 2022 so far shows the trend is continuing, with a 55.8% increase in the number of HRT items prescribed from April 2022 to June 2022 compared with the same period in 2021.  

MIMS also reported that the first HRT product women can buy from a pharmacist without a prescription is now available. Gina is available to buy over-the-counter following a consultation or assessment for suitability with a pharmacist. Gina may be continued for as long as it is considered needed and should be reassessed every three months

Last year, Emma Bower, editor of GPonliine interviewed menopause expert Dr Louise Newson and if you haven’t heard it yet, you really should! Louise discusses how we can improve menopause care and education for doctors and other health professionals. She also explains how her career led her to becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable experts on the menopause and how she launched ‘The Menopause Charity’ in 2021.

GP spoke to Dr Louise Newson again this year, alongside Dr Olivia Jones to provide an overview of the evidence relating to HRT use and practical tips to help GPs prescribe appropriately.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is calling for more workplace policies to help women’s health, reports People Management. The APPG is currently lobbying for NHS-funded menopause health checks and for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions to be made free in England, in line with the rest of the UK.

People Management also shares its top five tips for businesses looking to support those experiencing menopausal symptoms in the workplace. It states there is clearly an increasing awareness of menopause and the impact this can have on people at work. As such, the pressure is on for employers to support and retain their people, not least because of the rise in the number of claims relating to menopause coming to employment tribunals. 

In the advertising world, Campaign looks at the sixty brands, including Boots, Royal Mail and Next behind "The future is yours" campaign. Devised by menopause movement GenM on behalf of its brand partners, the campaign aims to transform attitudes and normalise conversation around the menopause. It is running throughout Menopause Awareness Month across 18 UK sites including London, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham and Leeds. 

Campaign also covered how Mediacom, the UK’s largest agency, is trialling a programme to provide better support to employees going through menopause. Mediacom says this trial moves beyond education to actively support women who are experiencing menopausal changes. The expanded employee wellness programme will provide access to resources, talks and workshops, and seeks to upskill line managers on how to speak to and advise those in need.

Our client, CIPD welcomed a new report from the Women and Equalities Committee on the impact of menopause in the workplace and the steps that the Government and employers can take to make workplaces ‘menopause friendly’. Claire McCartney, Senior Inclusion Advisor for the CIPD, said: “The CIPD welcomes the findings… The menopause affects millions of women each year and it’s vital that employers take action to ensure that those experiencing menopause are properly supported in the workplace.”

On International Women’s Day, PR Week heard from Melissa Robertson, chief executive of creative agency Dark Horses. She spoke about her positive experience since being more vocal about being menopausal. Melissa said: “It’s been brilliant…. I don’t have to exhaustingly hide it anymore. In fact, I make a concerted effort to bring it up.”  Melissa also shares examples of symptoms and how organisations can make a positive difference. 

The list goes on. Haymarket’s colleagues in the US have also been leading the charge too, with plenty of coverage in Cancer Therapy Advisor, Neurology Advisor, Clinical Advisor and more. 

Not everyone going through the menopause will want to talk about how they are feeling, but by creating an environment where menopause is part of the conversation, Haymarket hopes to break down archaic societal stigmas, and ensure everyone knows support is available, and all colleagues are educated and respectful. 

For more information on Haymarket's diversity & inclusion programmes and initiatives please click here.