A new survey suggests many UK workplaces still lack formal structures to support employees experiencing menopause, despite growing policy attention and upcoming regulatory guidance.
Research commissioned by women’s wellness specialist Serenova found that 48% of women working in business, finance, and professional services roles say they feel “somewhat” or “very” supported during menopause at work. The figure sits slightly below the national average of 50% reported across all sectors.
Healthcare and social services recorded the highest levels of workplace support, with 57% of respondents in those roles reporting that they feel supported. Public services, law, and security followed at 53%, with education and non-profit organisations at 52%.
Retail workers reported the lowest levels of support overall, with 44% of respondents saying they feel supported during menopause at work.
The research surveyed 1,000 UK women aged 30 and above who identified as perimenopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal. The study was commissioned ahead of International Women’s Day as part of Serenova’s first anniversary since launch.
Across all sectors, the survey found that only 18% of women say their employer has a formal menopause policy in place. Among women working specifically in business, finance, and professional services, the proportion reporting a workplace menopause policy was also 18%.
The findings arrive days after the UK government published updated guidance under its gender pay gap and menopause action plan, introduced on 4 March 2026. The framework will require large employers to implement menopause-related workplace action plans by April 2027.
The research also highlights cultural barriers within organisations. Across all sectors, 44% of women said they feel comfortable discussing menopause at work, suggesting many employees still view the topic as difficult to raise with colleagues or managers.
Sector-level data shows differing approaches to support. Among healthcare and social services workers — the sector reporting the highest overall support — 22% said their employer provides a menopause policy, while 16% reported access to counselling support. However, 36% still said their employer provides no support provisions at all.
Retail workers reported fewer structured policies but slightly higher access to menopause leave. Within the sector, 15% said their workplace has a menopause policy, 8% reported access to counselling, and 10% said menopause leave is available. By comparison, only 7% of healthcare workers reported access to menopause leave.
Regional differences were also evident in the data. London recorded the highest levels of workplace support, with 59% of respondents saying they feel somewhat or very supported during menopause at work — nine percentage points above the national average.
The South East ranked second at 55%, while Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the lowest levels of perceived support, with 45% of respondents reporting that they feel supported.
Elle Sheppard, global head of marketing and communications at Serenova, said: “Mid-life women have so many pressures to face, the last thing they need is to feel like they have to suffer in silence at work, or worse, get forced into leaving a career they love due to a lack of support.
“Going through the menopause — including the peri and post stages — can last for years; this isn’t just a ‘flash in the pan’ day when you don’t feel your best, it’s a long period of lacking confidence, feeling exhausted and putting up with physical pain too.”
Sheppard added: “Serenova was launched on International Women’s Day last year, with a goal of helping women take charge of their wellbeing so they can navigate this life phase with clarity and confidence. As we celebrate our first anniversary, we wanted to find out how supported women really feel, to shine a light on the reality of navigating midlife as a woman.”
The full findings are available in The Serenova menopause report: Which sectors feel the most supported?
You must be logged in to post a comment.