Menopause in the workplace,
Supporting women, uniting your team
45% women say that they feel their menopause symptoms have had a negative impact for them at work and 28% have considered quitting work because of their menopause symptoms
These aren’t just statistics,
they represent experienced, capable women quietly struggling at work, often without the understanding or support they need.
For organisations this can mean loss of confidence, reduced performance, increased absence (often due to the one of 62 mental/physical symptoms) and in some cases, the loss of valued employees altogether. After 30 years working within HR and employee wellbeing, I know better than most how much employee retention means to a business’ success.
With the right awareness, practical guidance and compassionate support in place, workplaces can make a meaningful difference creating environments where women feel understood, supported and able to continue thriving in their roles.
The conversation around menopause at work is evolving — and it’s evolving quickly.
As we move through 2026, what was once viewed primarily as a wellbeing initiative is increasingly becoming part of broader governance and compliance discussions.
With 2027 developments on the horizon, many organisations are recognising that informal awareness activity may no longer be sufficient. Instead, there is a growing shift toward structured, measurable Menopause Action Plans that can stand up to scrutiny and demonstrate genuine commitment.
D I S C O V E R O U R S U P P O R T P A T H W A Y S
It’s time give women’s health a voice in the workplace,
I’m a certified menopause coach,
I have worked extensively in HR for 30 years, at Ford Motor Company, GSK, Molex and then for a variety of organisations as a HR Consultant for my own business, Hands-on HR. More recently I worked in the HR team at Plantlife, in the charity sector, so I can interact well with HR professionals and business owners. I provide menopause coaching designed to meet women where they are - both in life and in the workplace. Every year, 400,000 women in the UK enter menopause (that’s over 1,000 every day) and without the right support
in the workplace many experience symptoms that affect their every corner of their lives, and therefore also your business. Menopause coaching gives your employees the understanding, tools and support they need to navigate this transition with confidence, while helping your business retain valued staff, maintain engagement and foster a culture that truly supports all employees. As a business, supporting women through menopause isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a practical investment in your people, your culture, and your business success.
“I worked with Caroline for a number of years. Caroline worked in our HR team. She brought an enormous amount of expertise, professionalism and above all compassion and understanding in everything she did.
Her work, drawn on personal experience, on creating an inclusive working environment of which the menopause support group played a pivotal role was invaluable.”
Sarah Mendham, Head of HR (at the time) Plantlife.
Menopause Policy & Guidance
Let’s put menopause at the heart of your business.
Together, we’ll create a tailored menopause policy and a practical Menopause Action Plan. We start with a clear overview of where your organisation is now and where you want to be, guiding you through a focused 4-week roadmap.
By taking action now, your business will be ahead of the curve, demonstrating leadership in employee wellbeing, supporting your staff through this important life stage and building a culture that attracts, retains and empowers staff.
“Thanks for bringing the menopause group into the mix, it’s been super helpful”
Julia
The Workplace Menopause Support Group,
Your team’s Menopause Support Group will meet live on zoom or face to face (location dependent), for 45 minutes every six weeks, providing a safe and welcoming space for employees at all stages. From those curious to learn more to those in this current season of life.
Each session combines peer-to-peer support and expert insights, giving your valued team practical tools to thrive, shared experiences and a sense of connection and support at work.
the 8 week signature
Menopause Coaching Plan
As a certified coach, I can support your team through the signature Menopause Plan, developed by Women of a Certain Stage
The Menopause Plan supports your employees to better understand and navigate their menopause journey, helping them recognise how hormonal changes may be affecting their work, sleep, mood and cognitive clarity. With this understanding, menopause stops feeling overwhelming and employees begin to feel empowered mentally and physically, working with their bodies rather than against them.
Through the programme, participants create a personal vision board and practical roadmap, gain access to a supportive private WhatsApp group, and learn how to confidently advocate for themselves with both their GP and their manager.
This gives employees a constructive outlet and a trusted place to turn when challenges arise, helping to reduce misunderstandings, prevent workplace friction before it happens and support open, positive conversations - exactly the kind of environment we strive for.
My work adopts the GROW model and the plan is comprehensive and consists of eight live weekly coaching sessions, delivered within a flexible framework that is personal to each individual.
What will be covered with your employee
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A dream without a plan is just a dream. Your employee will create a vision board to set realistic and measurable goals.
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We’ll coach your team member to support themselves physically and ensure they can continue to thrive in work and life.
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The way you begin and end your day quietly shapes everything in between - especially your work outcomes and experience.
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We’ll discover what foods work for the individual and which don’t. Physical health is key to good outcomes.
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We’ll help your team member understand their bodies signals and symptoms and how that relates to movement in their daily life.
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Helping your team member clear their space physically which can really support a mind that’s able to face challenges and respond well.
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It takes a village, no matter the stage in life. Asking for help and support during menopause is vital but not always easy but this session shows that it can be pivotal.
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Here we celebrate what has been achieved and look at the next steps together using the Menopause Pathway Wheel.
Workshops, trainings and intensives,
are a powerful way to build menopause awareness across your organisation and give your team the confidence to respond appropriately and compassionately. From whole-team awareness sessions to practical training for line managers, these sessions help remove uncertainty, clarify policies and equip managers with the tools to have supportive, informed conversations with their staff.
Rather than relying on vague guidance, managers learn how to recognise that every menopause journey is unique. Your team can have their questions and concerns addressed and start to feel positive for their future at home and in the workplace. The result is a more informed, empathetic workplace where issues are addressed early, employees feel understood and businesses benefit from a well workforce.
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Join me in a 2 hour interactive training session live on zoom or face to face (location dependent) to help line managers become aware of their role supporting their staff, the legal framework, workplace adjustments and best practice approach. Understanding that each employee’s menopause journey is unique, we can tailor their support to what’s needed.
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This one-hour awareness session is designed for the whole team, helping everyone gain a clear and practical understanding of menopause and how it can affect colleagues in the workplace. The session helps support key language, breaks down common misconceptions and encourages supportive conversations. With time for Q&A and a helpful takeaway handout, employees leave feeling more informed, empathetic and better equipped to contribute to a workplace culture where menopause is understood and accounted for.
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Personalised sessions give you the flexibility to request exactly the support your organisation needs. Whether it’s a focused topic, a specific team or a particular challenge you’re seeing in the workplace, I can design and deliver a session tailored to your requirements. These bespoke sessions create a confidential, supportive, practical learning and open conversation aimed at giving your business targeted and meaningful support where it’s needed most.
My inbox is always open,
If you’re unsure where to begin, have questions or would simply like to talk through what support might look like for your organisation, you’re very welcome to get in touch. I’m happy to listen, support and help you identify the most suitable pathway for your business - with no pressure or obligation.
Meet Caroline, your Menopause Pathway Coach
I was running my own HR consultancy after 25 years in the sector when perimenopause arrived. I didn’t recognise what was happening, and working on my own meant there was no one to confide in about my experience. I felt my confidence quietly slip away. Tasks I’d done with ease suddenly felt overwhelming and one night, I made the decision to step back from my business.
It was only later, that I truly understood what I’d been experiencing. Eighteen months later I stepped back into work, setting up a menopause support group there and seeing the impact it had was transformational. It led me to qualify as a certified menopause coach, so no woman has to face what I went through alone.
Let’s Work Together,
Listen now,
Caroline was recently on Radio 5 Live, talking to Radio and TV presenter Naga Munchetty about her experience with menopause in life and the workplace.