What: The New York Times looks at menopause in the workplace, and how the physician leading the Menopause Society went from thinking “that asking for additional provisions for women would fuel more gender discrimination — if women required special treatment, employers would have more reason to not hire or promote them” to building a plan: a study that showed “women were missing work — $1.8 billion worth of working time each year. Some quit altogether because of menopause.”

Why it matters: “Today, the Menopause Society rolled out an initiative providing employers with guidance on how to support women going through menopause. It includes tips for managers to talk about menopause at work and policies employers can consider, like ensuring that the health care plans they offer cover treatment options for menopause symptoms. The program, called Making Menopause Work, also provides suggestions for making it easier for menopausal employees to get through the workday, like flexible bathroom breaks for those dealing with unpredictable or heavy bleeding, and improving ventilation and using uniforms made with breathable fabrics so that hot flashes are less uncomfortable.”

Source: New York Times