of Personnel and Development ( CIPD ) Middle East Advisory Committee .

“ A few simple changes to the working environment can make a world of difference . Women with menopause need to know their employer has their back , giving them the right support at the right time to reach their full potential .”

Thornton tells Business Chief there has been an encouraging increase in international best practice brought to the region by companies such as Standard Chartered Bank , Hewlett Packard , Accenture , and global law firm Dentons .

Dentons announced its commitment to becoming a menopause-friendly employer in 2023 , and strives to be an inclusive employer that ensures all of its people feel supported and encouraged to excel in their role . “ We are particularly keen to improve women ' s representation in senior positions across the firm and , given the data that 1 in 4 women will consider leaving the workplace because of menopause symptoms , it is imperative that we act now in a proactive way ,” says Yvonne Burke- Garricks , Head of Talent Development for UK , Ireland and Middle East at Dentons .. “ In addition to improving health and wellbeing , we know that employers with menopause policies and an open and supportive culture are more likely to retain their staff and increase engagement , motivation and productivity .”

Dentons has a comprehensive policy outlining its commitment to supporting

Estimated cost of lost productivity due to menopause globally

Percentage of women with menopausal symptoms who say it interferes with work performance on a weekly basis

everyone who may be impacted by the menopause , not just the person experiencing symptoms . This may include line managers , colleagues , friends and family .

“ We have trained menopause mentors , regular talks and drop-in sessions , guest expert speakers for World Menopause Day , access to a dedicated hub containing online resources , a number of bestselling books to borrow , and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program ( EAP ) including coaching and CBT treatment ,” Burke-Garricks tells Business Chief .

“ Although symptoms are consistent across geographies , we are training two people in the Middle East to become menopause mentors who understand the cultural norms across the region and are able to speak to staff in Arabic .”

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