How insurers can support menopausal colleagues

How menopause myths can be debunked, ways to help women going through this stage of life, plus methods to gain more male allies are outlined in the podcast.

Gillie Fairbrother, director of ESG at Davies, said like all equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, the assistance and support offered to women working in insurance who are going through the menopause needs to be supported by everyone working in an organisation.

My Mum and grandmother finished menopause at 38. I am already well on the way

She said: “It [menopause] is an uncomfortable and embarrassing topic. Through that education piece we avoid assumptions.

“From a personal standpoint, I celebrate my 40^th birthday this year, but my Mum and grandmother finished menopause at 38. I am already well on the way, but a male in the industry might assume that wasn’t happening.

“We really need men to stand up. If we are just preaching to the choir we aren’t going to get anywhere.”

Alison Faroppa, diversity and inclusion manager of Zurich, said her company encourages employees to share their stories and recently a male colleague shared how he was supporting his menopausal partner.

She said: “The more male role models you can have it really does open up conversations and raises awareness.”

Debbie Mawer, director of people and culture at Claims Consortium Group, agreed sharing personal stories was key to creating an inclusive culture at a firm.

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