Goodbye, taboos! Let’s (finally) talk about money, menopause and mental health
Mar 28, 2023
When we talk about innovations, we usually think of breakthrough technologies like artificial intelligence rather than more mundane things like work policies. But imagine how far the world of work has come that we increasingly see bosses as someone to share our struggles with, rather than someone to hide them from. Let’s explore some of the latest ‘taboos’ that are finally making their way into workplace conversations.
England has appointed Helen Tomlinson as the first ever ‘Menopause Employment Champion’. Experts say a quarter of women experiencing menopause either leave or consider leaving their jobs due to menopause-related symptoms. Tomlinson’s role will help to raise awareness of issues surrounding menopause and work, and promote the benefits of supporting women to stay in work.
Helen says: “Less than a quarter of UK businesses currently have a menopause policy… I am determined that my generation of women in work will break the menopause taboo and have confidence that their health is valued.”
It was rare to hear to word ‘menopause’ discussed in professional situations, despite all of us knowing someone who is, has been, or will be affected by it. Let’s hope it won’t be long before more leaders and organisations are ready to face the facts: it’s time to talk about menopause and support people going through it to remain in work if they want to do so.
The advice given to people entering the world of work used to be: “Never talk about your religion, your politics or your salary”. Yet today, companies are increasingly reporting on DEI (including religion) statistics, and publishing salaries in job ads. Data shows that people are less likely to apply for a job that does not show the salary range in the advert; simply using the word ‘negotiable’ does not cut it any more. There are many benefits to including a salary range in a job advert, but most importantly it prevents applicants from wasting their time – and the potential employer’s time – going through the hiring process for a role they would never accept. So talking about money saves time (and money) and increases the volume of applicants. For many industries, such as the Life Sciences sector, there’s a global talent shortage, so this is a simple yet effective way to stay ahead of the competition.
Another discussion point that’s making its way out of the doctor’s office and into our workplaces is mental health. Burnout, panic attacks and other issues are now as much your boss’s concern as they are your doctor’s. Companies – big and small – offer their employees fitness and wellness opportunities, pay subscriptions for mental health apps, organise online workshops with great trainers online and offline. The cynics among us may think this is just because it helps to maintain good levels of productivity, but whatever the reason for it, it’s a huge step forward.
At Kelly we have a premium subscription for all employees around the world (and up to five family members) to one of best wellness and mental health apps, Calm, which offers different ways to find (or rediscover) your inner harmony and balance. From talking to teenagers who are stressed about their coming exams, to calming music tracks to help with falling asleep after a busy work week, and from meditation guidance to music for yoga exercises at home, there are options for everyone. In the times when ‘burnout’ has become an official occupational syndrome and professionals (from nutritionists to psychiatrists and paediatricians) talk about importance of paying close attention to mental health issues – companies now take it seriously and quickly update their policies. Is it time to rename ‘human resources’ to ‘human capital’?
How does the above apply to your workplace (if at all)? What does your employer do to show that they respect your whole, human self? And what can we all do – from our positions as employees and employers – to change the world of work to a better place?
