Here’s our list of the top eight menopause-friendly employers

IT happens to half the population and sees firms lose 14million working days per year.

So why aren’t companies doing more about the menopause?

Tuesday is World Menopause Day, which raises awareness about the transition and the help available.

One in ten working women has left a job due to their symptoms, with a further 26 per cent forced to take time off, according to The Fawcett Society, a gender equality and women’s rights charity.

Menopause expert Dr Shashi Prasad, from the Marion Gluck Clinic in London, says: “A survey conducted by Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development showed three in five menopausal women were negatively impacted by their symptoms at work.

“They report greater difficulty in managing their work, so may be reluctant to discuss their menopausal status due to fear of being stigmatised and suffering gendered ageism.”

But some progressive companies are getting it right. Here is our list of the top menopause-friendly employers . . . 

SOUTHEASTERN RAILWAY: Despite an 80 per cent male workforce, Southeastern works with specialists to offer awareness training to every manager.

FEEDZAI: The RegTech firm offers one day’s paid leave a month to menopausal employees.

ROYAL MAIL: Working with GenM, the firm launched a menopause campaign and support group for networking and sharing stories.

WW: The diet firm offers a designated cool room and allows menopause as an official reason for absence.

TRAVIS PERKINS: The builders merchant has a “hot flush community” where members can post articles, ask questions and talk about experiences.

BOOTS: The chain covers the cost of employees’ HRT prescriptions and uses “menopause vests” to help team members appreciate the symptoms of the menopause.

NATIONAL CARE GROUP: The adult support services specialist covers the cost of HRT prescriptions and runs a Menohub support group.