Perimenopause, menopause symptoms may cost employees nearly 35 workdays a year
Executive Take
Nearly nine in ten affected employees are losing work time with zero policy support in place. That gap is a retention and productivity risk hiding in plain sight for any company with women over 45 on staff.
Executive Summary
A Womea survey of 831 employed women 45+ found 87% say perimenopause or menopause symptoms disrupted their job performance in the past year, costing an average of 34.5 workdays annually. 17% believe symptoms cost them a promotion, raise, or key project. 89% say their employer has no menopause policy.
Why It Matters
HR leaders should care because this is a widespread, unaddressed cost hitting a large share of the workforce every year. Most companies have no policy, no benefit, and no manager training to handle it.
Bizquad Perspective
The real cost isn't the hot flashes, it's the 52% who start doubting their own competence, meaning silence is quietly pushing capable senior women out of leadership pipelines.