Businesses Urged to Support Staff Through Menopause
Employers must do more to support staff struggling at work due to menopause.
That was the plea from organisers of a workplace event aimed at normalising conversation around menopause, held as part of World Menopause Day celebrations.
Since forming in 2017, Perth charity Menopause Café has sparked a global movement of informal ‘cafes’ worldwide, where people of all ages and genders get together either at work or in the community to discuss menopause.
Since the first ever café in Perth that same year, the charity has supported over 1,800 Menopause Cafes worldwide, from the UK and the USA to Chile, Zambia, Bahrain and Portugal, empowering more than 18,000 participants to get talking.
For the second year running, Perth and Kinross Council held a Menopause Café today (Friday 17 October 2025) for staff and the wider public. Once again, the local authority is also embracing the charity’s Menopause Awareness Ribbon which, aimed at employers and the wider public, signals a willingness to talk about the life transition and reduce the stigma and shame often associated with it.
After championing the campaign last year, a growing wave of organisations are now joining Perth and Kinross Council by hosting in-house Menopause Cafes. Participants include the global pharmaceutical company Bayer, Nuffield Health hospitals, Fujifilm in Billingham, Enfield Council, the Church of England Diocese in Worcester, Yorkshire NHS Trust, and the Port of Felixstowe. Menopause Cafes are also taking place at Holyrood, the Senedd in Wales and Whitehall, highlighting a nationwide commitment to supporting menopause in the workplace.
Attending the event, Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, said, “Many women still find it difficult to talk about menopause, particularly in the workplace, and too often manage symptoms in silence. By encouraging open, honest conversations about menopause, we can break down stigma and ensure women are properly supported through this natural life transition, both personally and professionally. This Menopause Awareness Month, I’ve had the privilege of participating in two Menopause Cafés. It has been powerful to see people coming together in an inclusive and supportive space to have candid and informative discussions about the menopause — not just women, but also their partners, friends, and colleagues. I firmly believe the more we all understand about menopause, the more we all benefit. I’m proud to wear the Menopause Awareness ribbon and support the incredible work the Menopause Café Charity are doing to help make menopause part of everyday conversations.”
Rachel Weiss, Founder of Menopause Café, said, “As we enter the second year of our Menopause Awareness Ribbon campaign, it’s heartening to see such a great and growing range of workplaces and individuals signing up to make menopause a part of everyday conversation. Many employees experiencing menopause are embarrassed to tell their employer if their symptoms are affecting them at work, but when they see their managers wearing the Menopause Awareness Ribbon, it encourages them to speak up and get the support they may need. This important cultural shift benefits both the individual and the organisation, making staff feel supported and heard, reducing absenteeism, and helping prevent employees from needing to reduce hours or leave the workplace altogether.”
Council leader Councillor Eric Drysdale said, “I’m proud to see our Council supporting menopause cafés—safe, welcoming spaces where people can come together to share experiences, find support, and break down the stigma surrounding menopause. These events play a vital role in promoting wellbeing, raising awareness, and fostering open conversations in our communities.”
Dame Kelly Holmes has also recently joined as a Patron, adding, “I’m honoured to become the new Patron of Menopause Cafe, an organisation that has helped spark and normalise conversations around menopause, including through the Menopause Awareness Ribbon campaign. When I began experiencing symptoms, my own research helped everything fall into place, but far too many people still face this stage of life feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Having an accessible and inclusive forum and awareness campaign to share experiences, exchange tips, and feel genuinely empowered is invaluable, and I’m proud to support this mission to help others move confidently and positively through their own experience of menopause”.
To view the full list of Menopause Cafes taking place, and to order Menopause Awareness ribbons, visit www.menopausecafe.net
ENDS