Revive & Thrive initiative supports menopausal women returning to work.
- One in four women consider leaving work due to menopause symptoms.
- UK workplaces face loss of valuable experience from menopausal women.
- Revive & Thrive partners with Menopause Friendly employers to offer training.
- OVO leads the programme’s pilot with plans to integrate returners.
A new initiative, Revive & Thrive, has been introduced to assist menopausal women in their transition back to the workplace. This programme, a collaboration between Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace and The People Portfolio, aims to address the unique challenges faced by women during menopause by partnering with Menopause Friendly Accredited employers. This partnership seeks to reassure returners of the supportive environment awaiting them at their new workplaces.
In the United Kingdom, a significant portion of the workforce is ageing, with eight out of ten menopausal women currently employed. However, a report by the Fawcett Society indicates that one in four women contemplate leaving their jobs due to menopause-related symptoms, and one in ten actually resigns, resulting in a considerable loss of skilled and experienced professionals from the workforce. The physical, emotional, and cognitive changes experienced during menopause can complicate the process of returning to work, creating a potential untapped resource within today’s labour market.
The Revive & Thrive programme is designed to empower employers to enhance workplace diversity while capitalising on this valuable pool of talent. The programme ensures that women returners are adequately trained and prepared for a seamless reintegration into the workforce. According to Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace, women who resign due to menopause symptoms often encounter social and financial difficulties, impacting their overall well-being and future security. The symptoms can exacerbate feelings of isolation, and many women face financial instability, including the potential need to prematurely access their pension funds.
Deborah Garlick emphasises the importance of menopause-friendly employers in preventing the loss of talented employees, urging them to embrace women returning from career breaks. She describes the initiative as ‘a powerful proposition’, made feasible with the support of Revive & Thrive.
OVO, a Menopause Friendly Accredited employer, has launched the first pilot of Revive & Thrive. After completing training with The People Portfolio, OVO is set to onboard ten women from Glasgow, intending to provide them with the necessary skills and support for successful workplace integration. Kirsteen Sommerville, Menopause Lead at OVO, highlights the organisation’s commitment to supporting 50% of its workforce who may experience menopause during their tenure. She expresses enthusiasm for the programme’s potential to ease women’s return to work and help them regain their professional stride.
Morna Ronnie, founder of The People Portfolio, acknowledges the potential impact of menopausal women on productivity, innovation, and leadership, provided they receive adequate support. She anticipates constructive feedback from the OVO pilot to improve the programme before expanding to other Menopause Friendly Accredited employers. This initiative is seen as offering significant prospects for enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The Revive & Thrive programme represents a promising avenue for supporting menopausal women in re-entering the workforce, offering a potential game changer for both employers and returners.
