The Legal Profession commemorates all those who have, or are, going through menopause.
World Menopause Day helps boost awareness of the menopause and the support available for improving health and wellbeing.
The first woman became a solicitor in 1922 and today women make up 53% of the profession in England and Wales.
A survey conducted by IPSOS Mori for the British Menopause Society, found that more than a third of respondents said their menopause had impacted their work life.
Research by Forth also found that 63% of respondents said their working life had been impacted negatively by their symptoms. In addition to this, 34% had developed depression and anxiety, 29% significantly lost self-confidence at work and 47% of respondents struggled to concentrate.
Law Society of England and Wales president, Lubna Shuja, said:
“The menopause affects a large proportion of our members, whether first hand, through relationships, friendships or in the workplace.
That is why the Law Society has produced menopause guidance to help individuals and firms access the support they need.”
Shuja explains the importance of organisations understanding the impact menopause has on their employees, and offer appropriate support, which can in turn allow “their workforce to thrive”.
Shuja claimed that there is still a “stigma” attached to menopause in some work environments which “makes people reluctant to discuss it”. She added:
“There’s work to do to ensure women can progress and remain in the profession as they manage symptoms, which can have an average duration of five years. They can worsen without the right knowledge and support.
Our Annual Statistics Report 2021 found that the median age of women, who are practising certificate holders, is 40 and the average age of sole practitioners is 52.4. The average age for a woman to reach menopause is 51.
If the profession fails to appreciate the potential impact of the menopause, we risk losing a large demographic at a point in their careers where they may be in more senior roles. The profession then loses influential senior women role models which should not happen.”
Shuja concluded that menopause can have a significant impact on people’s health, as she explained:
“Symptoms, such as hot flushes, sweats, heart palpitations, brain fog and poor sleep, can have a strong adverse impact on both physical and mental health. These can be exacerbated when paired with long hours and high demands on time and output, which are so common in law firms.
Employers should be considering job redesign, reasonable adjustments, HR policies, changes to their working environments, flexible working, and annual training for all staff.
Anyone going through the menopause should be empowered to seek professional advice when needed.”
