Starting the Conversation: Menopause Awareness Month at NQual

NQual

Oct 1

3 min read

Menopause can affect people in many ways. For some, symptoms may be manageable; for others, they can affect sleep, confidence, concentration, wellbeing, and work life. What matters is that people can access reliable information and talk about the support they may need without embarrassment or judgement.

At NQual, we want to help make those conversations easier. During Menopause Awareness Month, we are bringing colleagues, associates, customers, and partners together to learn more about menopause, understand how it may affect people at work, and consider how we can create more informed and supportive environments.

Menopause Awareness Month: Why Workplace Awareness Matters

The workplace is an important part of the conversation because many people experience menopause while continuing to work, develop, and contribute their experience to their organisations. Awareness is not about making assumptions about an individual; it is about creating a culture where people can seek help, explore appropriate adjustments and feel listened to.

Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), based on more than 2,000 employed UK women aged 40 to 60, found that 67% of those who had experienced menopausal symptoms said the symptoms had a mostly negative effect on them at work. However, the research also found that workplace support makes a difference: 84% of unsupported respondents described a mostly negative effect, compared with 71% of those who felt supported.

The same research identified flexible working and the ability to control workplace temperature as particularly helpful measures. It also recommends opening up workplace culture, encouraging conversations, and educating line managers; these findings reinforce a positive message: understanding and practical support can help improve people’s experiences at work.

What NQual is Doing to Raise Awareness During Menopause Awareness Month

NQual is using Menopause Awareness Month as an opportunity to move beyond statistics and focus on awareness, education, and conversation. We recognise that menopause is personal and that no two experiences are identical. Our role is not to offer medical advice but to help people access trustworthy information, understand the support that may be available, and feel more confident discussing the subject.

As part of this commitment, NQual is working with Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace to host a webinar, “Let’s Talk About Menopause”, for NQual colleagues, associates, customers, and partners. The session is designed to increase awareness, encourage understanding and support more inclusive conversations both inside and outside the workplace.

Find Out More About Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace Services

The session will help those understand:

What menopause is, how to recognise the symptoms, and how someone may be affected by menopause.
The options available to manage symptoms and support long-term health.
What support is available and how to access it, both at work and outside work.

Holly Edwards on a lavender background with purple and magenta circles.

The session will be delivered by Holly Edwards, an experienced HR and workplace wellbeing specialist. It will offer practical information in a welcoming environment, whether someone is experiencing menopause, supporting a colleague, friend or family member, or simply wants to understand more.

If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Robert Herriot, rherriot@nqual.co.uk, for more information.

Building Awareness Together This Menopause Awareness Month

Meaningful awareness is not created by a policy or a single event alone; it grows when people have opportunities to learn, ask questions, and approach conversations with empathy and respect. By hosting this webinar and sharing reliable resources, NQual hopes to help reduce uncertainty around menopause and encourage a culture in which people feel comfortable seeking appropriate support.

A 2025 Department for Work and Pensions literature review found considerable evidence that menopause symptoms can affect confidence and wellbeing at work. It found that employer support is uneven and that many people would like better information and adjustments suited to their individual needs. This underlines why education and open communication are valuable steps for organisations.

Our focus is therefore on what we can do positively: listen, learn, share dependable information, and make it easier for people to begin a conversation. We also recognise that support should be individual, confidential, and free from assumptions.

Keep an eye on NQual’s social media channels throughout October for information, resources and awareness content we’ll be sharing for Menopause Awareness Month.

Two smiling women lean back-to-back against a bright white background.

Helpful Resources for Menopause Support

We are not medical experts, and anyone experiencing symptoms should seek advice from their GP or an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. However, we can raise awareness, share reliable information and encourage organisations to create environments where people feel comfortable seeking support.

We have included some helpful resources if you have any more questions about menopause or are seeking support: