WW UK announces Menopause Matters, a raft of new policies and measures designed to help those experiencing the menopause for WW UK members and employees. These new policies have been created and implemented following an extensive research project, undertaken by Censuswide* on behalf of WW, amongst 1,000 women who have been through or are going through the menopause. The research showed :
· When asked about the menopause, six out of ten women (61 per cent) say there is a lack of understanding, 53 per cent say there’s a lack of information and 55 per cent say there is a lack of support around menopause
· Almost half of women (47%) said they needed more help and support with the impact of menopause on their health/body
· Less than one in ten women (7 per cent) talked to their employer or line manager about going through the menopause or perimenopause
· One in four (40 per cent) of women believes workplace policies and rights around menopause need to change
WW Member Experience
Under the Menopause Matters banner, WW has developed a series of tailored measures to provide access to dedicated support for WW members in the UK going through the menopause. Launching on Tuesday 8th February, WW will host an exclusive Menopause Matters Masterclass for its members led by menopause specialist and GP, Dr Suzanne Saideman.
“Many of our members are women of perimenopausal or menopause age, and as a wellness organisation having quality conversations with our members daily and weekly via our app, online and during in-person workshops, we are able to provide the support these women need. Our science backed programme can provide tangible support and practical advice across many of the 48 symptoms of menopause, including weight gain and slowed metabolism, anxiety, mood changes and sleep,” comments Anna Hill, General Manager of WW UK.
A Menopause group in Connect, WW’s in-app social platform, provides weekly, dedicated content as well as a forum for like-minded members to connect and share their challenges, advice and experiences. The Menopause Connect group – which was established last year and already has over 1,000 WW UK members – will continue to provide expert advice specific to the challenges this group is experiencing including nutritional support as well as physical workshops for members.
WW Menopause Matters Employee Support
In developing a whole package of training and policies designed to open up the conversation around menopause both internally and externally, WW is working towards securing Menopause Friendly Employer Accreditation in 2022. This is particularly relevant given that 87% of WW’s UK employees are female and 61% of these are aged between 41 and 65 years.
Menopause specific policies and resources for WW employees in the UK include:
· Training for WW Managers to ensure they have the knowledge, skill and support required to lead those experiencing menopausal symptoms.
· Training for WW’s Mental Health First Aiders, specificically in the field of Menopause, to provide a safe space and support for those who may be struggling.
· Ensuring that affinity group Coaches have the knowledge and expertise required to support members who are navigating the menopause on their WW journey.
· Continuing to support salaried employees with up with 26 weeks’ paid leave and flexible working options should they need to take time off due to menopause related symptoms.
· Providing safe spaces and equipment for employees who may be experiencing menopausal symptoms whilst at work, such as desk fans and a calm cool reflection room. And offering a Menopause Toolkit for all employees outlining all the menopause support available.
WW is also announcing its partnership with GenM, an organisation which encourages brands to recognise and respond to the needs of perimenopausal and menopausal women. This partnership is an important part of WW’s commitment to being a voice for change and better representing perimenopausal and menopausal women as well as providing support for their friends, families and partners.
Heather Jackson, Co-Founder of GenM comments: “Menopause ignorance has gone on for too long and it’s our joint responsibility as brands and employers to wake up and unite in representing those in the menopause and their support network. This first-of-its-kind movement is raising awareness, educating, and driving real change to the change, and we’re proud for WW, as a leading wellness organisation, to be a founding partner. We’re excited to get our combined message and support system out to the WW members who need it.”
Anna Hill continues: “Conversations around the menopause are starting, but we urgently need to tackle the stigma around it. Our research has revealed that many women going through menopause want to be understood, not to suffer in silence and they’re asking for support with the physicial and emotional symptoms they’re facing. This is where WW can really help, not only for our employees but also our members who are experiencing and potentially struggling with some of the many symptoms of the menopause.”
“In everything we do, we aim to be fully inclusive and help all our employees be at their best with their wellbeing at the forefront. We’ve been working hard to create a safe environment where we can talk openly about the menopause, and personally I’m delighted that we can now offer this increased support to women at this time of life.”
