A former Director of Public Prosecutions has warned of the potential damage to business if women are forced to leave employment or have their hours cut due to debilitating menopause symptoms.
Claire Loftus said more Irish workplaces need to ‘catch up’ and implement policies to prevent a brain drain of highly skilled female staff.
She will deliver the keynote address on Thursday (Oct10) at the second national Menopause Workplace Excellence Awards, which recognise businesses supporting female employees as they battle symptoms including anxiety, depression, extreme fatigue and brain fog.
For the first time, men’s efforts to support female colleagues will also be honoured with a Male Allyship Award at the ceremony in Dublin’s Royal College of Physicians.
“It has been my experience that any initiatives such as wellness policies or job sharing, fully implemented by employers, are repaid tenfold by the increase in the loyalty and job satisfaction of their team,” said Ms Loftus, who was the DPP from 2011 to 2021.
“Women of menopausal age are typically highly able and experienced, whatever field they work in.
“Employers depend on them to ensure continuity and also to develop newer staff.
“Any scenario where such enormous assets are at risk, as the data shows, of exiting the workforce or curtailing their hours, purely because of menopause symptoms, is potentially damaging to an organisation and to business.
“The announcement of free HRT for all women in the Budget is a major advance in recognising this important women’s health issue.
“I commend The Menopause Hub, which has been campaigning for measures like these.”
Ms Loftus said the measure would support the vital role that women play in the workforce and help them continue that role.
The awards, sponsored by Irish Life Health and Astellas Pharma, are organised by The Menopause Hub Academy and Great Place to Work.
CEO of The Menopause Hub Academy, Loretta Dignam, said the awards are expanding as improved supports for women are rolled out by more companies.
“Workplaces are finally beginning to understand the vital role that women play in their organisations and how important it is to support them as they journey through menopause, often with symptoms so severe that they consider leaving careers they love,” she said.
“This is the chance for us to showcase the companies making big strides in trying to hold on to those female staff, rather than allowing symptoms to dictate their ability to continue working to their full potential.
“Make no mistake, symptoms can be devastating and if left untreated, can destroy careers, relationships and families.
“I’m especially delighted this year with the level of entries for the Male Allyship Award, which demonstrate how the men in various companies are supporting their female colleagues.”