Employers urged to support women through menopause
Tuesday 13th October 2026 on 15:30 in
Switzerland
Two-thirds of women aged 45 to 55 experience menopause symptoms, but a Swissstaffing survey found that women in this age group are especially loyal, motivated and willing to perform. SRF reports that employers could help them stay in work by offering more support and flexibility.
Symptoms including hot flushes, low mood, anxiety, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating can affect career decisions. According to the article, 21 percent of women reduce their working hours because of symptoms, 16 percent change jobs and 6 percent retire early.
About 615,000 women in Switzerland aged 45 to 55 are employed and could be affected, SRF reports. Ariane M. Baer of Swissstaffing, an association of personnel service providers, says retaining them in the labour market is economically important. She also says women in this life stage value workplace flexibility even more than pay.
Many are caring for children while also supporting their parents and working substantial hours. Flexible schedules and work arrangements could make that balance easier. Employers could also consider options such as more home working or later start times.
Petra Stute, who heads the Menopause Centre at Inselspital Bern, says symptoms can be treated and quality of life improved, but many women do not seek help. Symptoms can also create practical difficulties at work: hot flushes may be especially uncomfortable in demanding uniforms, while concentration problems can make meetings difficult.
Stute says making menopause part of workplace culture would be a first step, and that staff can learn how to discuss the subject. Joëlle Zingraff, co-founder of The Women Circle, which provides workplace training, says companies can address it openly without dramatising it. She says more employers are now approaching the company, including those in retail, technology, consulting and hospitals.
Menopause is the term for a woman’s last spontaneous menstrual period, which occurs at an average age of 51. The hormonal changes leading up to it often begin in the late 30s or early 40s; the period before menopause is known as perimenopause.