Investing in workplace hormone health initiatives could improve female staff retention and productivity

A new survey has revealed the impact hormone-related symptoms are having on the UK workforce, and how prioritising these issues could impact both staff retention and productivity for the better.

Published last month, new data revealed 28 per cent of women have considered leaving the workforce altogether because of their hormone-related symptoms, highlighting the significant impact menopause, perimenopause and hormone conditions can have on workplace participation and staff retention.

The research was published by Balance@Work as part of its Hormone Health at Work report, which aims to show how hormone-related symptoms may affect performance, participation, and career decisions in women long before they appear in workplace absence or attrition data. 

Among more than 5,500 respondents in a survey distributed by Balance@Work, 79 per cent said their hormone-related symptoms had affected their work participation or career decisions, including changes to hours, flexibility, progression and whether to remain in employment at all. Career progression was significantly affected, with a further 24 per cent having already left a role or organisation due to hormone health, 26 per cent had moved to a less demanding position, and 25 per cent had even avoided applying for a promotion because of their symptoms.

The data also suggested the effects of menopause in the workplace have worsened despite increased awareness, with previous estimates showing that in 2022, one in 10 women left work due to menopause. The data showed women of all ages are impacted by hormone health issues in the workplace, with more than 10 per cent of women aged 40 to 44 giving up a job due to hormone health problems, rising to 41 per cent of women when they reach 65.

Seventy six per cent of those in work said hormone-related symptoms stopped them performing at their best at least some of the time, with 60 per cent describing the overall effect on their working life as 'significant' or 'enormous'. The research also points to a gap in employer awareness and provision, with 72 per cent of respondents saying they had never received hormone health training at work, and 51 per cent were unaware of any workplace guidance or resources on the topic.

When it came to symptoms, 87 per cent of survey respondents reported brain fog as the most impactful, whilst 86 per cent reported fatigue, and 69 per cent of women in the survey experienced anxiety and panic. 

The research also showed access to the right hormone treatment can make a difference. Among those on HRT, 92 per cent reported an improvement in their symptoms, with nearly half (49 per cent) describing the change as significant.

Among women on hormone treatment, 78 per cent felt it was effectively addressing their symptoms, with a quarter reporting a significant improvement and just over half (53 per cent) reporting it as somewhat effective. After starting treatment, 19 per cent of these women went on to stay in a role they had been about to leave because of hormone-related symptoms.

Sarah Davies, managing director of Balance@Work, said: “The topic of hormone health and related symptoms in the workplace should be keeping CEOs awake at night.

"We already know the financial impact of menopause on workplaces is staggering. Our findings show that hormone health is influencing performance, progression and retention throughout women’s working lives, often without appearing in the data employers routinely track."

For more information, visit: https://balanceatwork.co.uk/insights/hormone-health-at-work-a-hidden-issue