Menopause-Friendly Workplace Accreditation Expands to the U.S.

I overheard someone say, “Menopause is everywhere lately,” the other day. Indeed, it seems the topic of menopause finally entered the mainstream cultural discussion. Oprah Winfrey even hosted a primetime special about the topic a few weeks ago. But while open dialogue about menopause may be taking place on TV, among friends, and across social media, the subject is still considered taboo or irrelevant in many workplaces in the United States. MiDOViA is working to change that.

April Haberman and Kim Hart founded MiDOViA two years ago after seeing their friends and colleagues struggling and realizing no one in the U.S. was addressing the professional implications of menopause. The organization’s name is a combination of the words “midlife,” “ovary” and “via,” representing its mission to help organizations create inclusive environments for employees experiencing menopause. It does this through customized programs that include things like evidence-based training, reference materials and events.

“Menopause should be discussed in the workplace,” Haberman told TriplePundit. “It belongs in the workplace so we can keep women and others experiencing menopause in the workplace.”

Menopause in the workplace

An estimated 27 million women in the U.S. workforce are in perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause, according to nonprofit Let’s Talk Menopause. That is 20 percent of the national workforce.

Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms can last for 15 years or more and encompass everything from hot flashes and night sweats to mental health to headaches and migraines to joint and muscle pain. Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and from day to day for the same person. 

A survey by healthcare company Maven found that one in three millennials currently experiencing menopause say their symptoms have impacted their work. Of those affected, one in six switched to a less demanding career as a result. Menopause-related symptoms cost U.S. employers an estimated $1.8 billion in lost work time annually, according to a 2023 Mayo Clinic study. 

Menopause is sometimes referred to as a “silent ceiling” because while no one talks about it, it can have such a limiting effect on careers, Haberman said. There is a stigma associated with menopause that feeds into fears of ageism, sexism and unemployment. Employees might end up not trying for promotions, or in some cases, walking away from a job altogether to avoid bringing attention to their menopause symptoms or challenges. 

Opening the conversation 

When companies partner with MiDOViA, they begin by completing a brief checklist to learn what they can improve and build upon. Topics include everything from employee benefits to adaptive uniforms to workplace environment and safety. 

“We don’t tell organizations how to take care of themselves, but rather we provide the evidence-based knowledge, so they can make informed decisions,” Haberman said. “Every industry and team is different, and we realize that.”

MiDOViA works with the organization to ensure a menopause guidance document is in place — whether that means updating an existing document or creating a standalone one. The team then makes sure everyone in the company is aware of the document. 

“The guidance document opens up and normalizes the conversation, creating a safe environment for people to learn what menopause is, where to get help if needed and ask additional questions,” Haberman said. 

The menopause friendly designation

After the menopause guidance document is created and shared, companies can take the next step with the Menopause Friendly Membership. 

The Menopause Friendly designation was created by the United Kingdom-based company Henpicked in 2021. Since then, the program expanded to include over 500 organizations in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand — and now the U.S. through a partnership with MiDOViA. 

“The term ‘menopause friendly’ was being thrown around lightly here in the United States,” Haberman said. “We didn’t want to be just a badge, or something someone earns after a one-and-done training. In the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, ‘Menopause Friendly’ means something thanks to the work of Henpicked, and we wanted it to mean something here.”

Each membership is customized for the specific organization’s needs. Some examples of services offered include guidance on creating menopause-based employee resource groups, custom-branded content libraries, think tanks, webinars and employee events. MiDOViA even offers master classes on menopause-adjacent topics suggested by employees, including mental health, bone health and relationships. 

In March, CVS Health became the first company in the United States to receive the Menopause Friendly Accreditation, joining the approximately 100 companies accredited in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Companies must be Menopause Friendly Members to apply for accreditation, and they must reapply every three years. 

“Menopause Friendly Accreditation is a recognized mark of excellence and reputation,” Haberman said. “It says that this organization supports women in the workplace, and is a true measure of accountability.” 

MiDOViA is calling for more employers to be among the first Menopause Friendly Accredited organizations in the U.S., especially during these uncertain political times. 

“Do we pause all progress while waiting for health funding and research to resume, or do we push forward and keep having these important conversations?” Haberman said. “Meanwhile, a new generation is here in the workforce, and they will continue nearing menopause.” 

With an estimated 6,000 Americans entering menopause every day, the need for long-term organizational plans is now.

Editor’s Note: While some people who do not identify as women also experience menopause, and some people who do identify as women do not experience menopause, the majority of communications and studies regarding menopause use the term “women” instead of “people experiencing menopause.” This article uses the term “women” only when a study or reference material specifically uses it.