Supporting women in the workplace during menopause

N Family Club is a workplace where over 90% of our team members are female. This means that the need to support women experiencing physical and mental challenges - across all areas, is greater than ever. One of these areas is perimenopause and menopause - both natural stages in life that bring a range of symptoms which, if not given the right support, can contribute to talented team members struggling unnecessarily, and sometimes even leaving their roles. At N, we are taking proactive and progressive steps to foster an environment where our female team members feel heard, valued, respected, and empowered to continue thriving in their early years careers.

Why does menopause matter?

Perimenopause and menopause can affect women in many different ways. Some may experience few symptoms whereas others can experience more, sometimes to such an extent that means their daily performance, workplace confidence, and overall wellbeing can be impacted. Common symptoms include:

• Hot flushes
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• Urgency to use the toilet more

Experiencing these symptoms in the comfort of your home is one thing but it can make going to work feel like a huge struggle - especially if a workplace is not set up to support its team members

Putting menopause support into practice

Thanks to recent government action, health professional advocacy, celebrity and media campaigns, and public health initiatives, workplaces have been encouraged to adopt practices to support its team members experiencing the menopause. This sends a powerful message to teams - their workplace cares about the physical and mental wellbeing of its team.

Here at N, we have implemented both practical adjustments and a formal policy to provide this meaningful support to our female team:

Temperature control - we recognise that hot flushes are a common symptom and that they can make working in a nursery environment with young children, challenging. We therefore allow team members access to hand-held fans, desk fans, and adjustable team room temperatures to provide immediate relief from discomfort.

Flexible breaks - in an already physically demanding role, the menopause can enhance fatigue and increase lethargy. We give our team members the option of more frequent breaks or extended breaks to help manage fatigue and stay productive throughout the day.

Working location adjustments - we understand that not being close to toilet facilities when experiencing menopausal symptoms can really impact a team member’s mental wellbeing. Therefore, wherever possible, we relocate the team member’s working location closer to a toilet to reduce stress and provide comfort.

A dedicated menopause policy - in 2021, N introduced a brand-new policy dedicated to menopause. This demonstrated and continues to demonstrate our commitment to team member wellbeing. The policy outlines what support provisions we have in place, sets expectations for line managers, and helps to normalise the conversations around the topic of menopause.

Alongside these practical measures that N has implemented, the most valuable support comes from building a culture where team members feel comfortable openly discussing menopause without stigma. Managers are trained to sensitively handle these conversations, to know what and where support to wellbeing resources is accessed, and encouraging open dialogue about what is a natural life stage.

Making menopause support a shared responsibility

Supporting women at N through perimenopause and menopause isn’t just about ticking a box or a ‘nice to have’ - it’s an essential part of creating a fair, equitable, and healthy workplace. Putting support systems and policies in place, not only improves the individual wellbeing but also strengthens the teams and helps to retain valuable skills and expertise.

By showing thorough and genuine commitment through tangible actions - whether it’s hand-held fans or working near toilet facilities, we can make a big impact on the lives of women at work. We’re proud to have been recognised as the 30th Best Workplace in the UK for Women (Super Large category) in 2025 and this isn’t something we take lightly - we want to foster loyalty, trust, and long-term success for our teams.

Are you inspired to work for an early years provider that shares a genuine passion for its’ team wellbeing?

Explore our open roles today.