20/10/2026
Sunday 18 October was World Menopause Day, which raises awareness of menopause and the support available to women going through it. This year's theme, set by the International Menopause Society, is Chronic Pain at Midlife.
It's a focus on joint and muscle pain, headaches, and disrupted sleep, which are both common and widely underestimated, and impact every aspect of a woman's life, at home and at work.
Small adjustments in the workplace can make a considerable difference, including flexible hours, some say over where and when people work, and managers who vocalise understanding and support. It is a good moment for any employer to ask whether women feel able to raise their concerns and access the support they need to continue thriving at work.
ℹ️ Around 74,000 to 95,000 women in the UK construction sector are of perimenopausal and menopausal age, yet 50% of women globally in the industry have never heard their employer communicate about menopause.
ℹ️ Nearly 22% of women in construction say menopause symptoms are a barrier to staying in the workforce until retirement, and only 12% report that their employer has a formal menopause policy.
The Menopause Charity and Menopause Support both publish guidance for employers and employees to help combat these statistics: https://themenopausecharity.org/
