Sarah Pasquall: How to support menstruation, pregnancy and menopause in the workplace

Despite affecting 50 per cent of the population, discussions around menopause, menstruation and pregnancy are often fraught with feelings of discomfort or embarrassment.

For instance, it’s only been in the last few years that adverts for sanitary products have started using red liquid – previously deemed too graphic and unpalatable.

There has been a similar reluctance to discuss how these issues affect people’s working lives. The first large-scale study on experiences of working during menopause was only conducted just over 10 years ago.

Unfortunately, there is still a paucity of frank discussions about menopause in the workplace, with those experiencing common symptoms such as hot flushes and brain fog often attributing them to ailments such as asthma or arthritis.

Beyond the statutory basics

When it comes to accommodating menopause, pregnancy and menstruation in the workplace, many companies will limit themselves to providing the statutory basics like medical and parental leave.

However, each of these stages brings physical and emotional challenges that can significantly impact work performance, mental health, and career progression. While accommodations for pregnancy have become more common, workplace support for menstruation and menopause often lags behind, leaving many women to navigate symptoms in silence.

According to healthcare provider Simplyhealth, 23 per cent of working women have considered quitting due to the impact of menopause or menstrual symptoms at work, while 87 per cent want their employer to be more supportive when it comes to women’s health.

There’s obviously a strong business case for supporting these women: talented, experienced employees are being pushed out of the door at the height of their careers, resulting in a loss of operational knowledge, increased recruitment costs and lack of female leadership.

The good news is that inclusive office design can help provide a supportive workplace for pregnant, menstruating, perimenopausal and menopausal people.

Understanding the gender gap in workplace design

In recent years there has been more focus on how many products and services are designed with men and male bodies as the default, and the implications of this type of gender bias. Great examples of this can be found in the book Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men.

Many workplace designs fail to take the needs of all genders into account. For example, gratings can be difficult for people wearing light footwear or heels to cross, and exposed staircases and glass floors are far from ideal for people wearing skirts, dresses, or saris.

Design assumptions based on “averages” often fail to take everyone into account. A classic example of this is rules regarding acceptable workplace temperatures, which were initially set in the 1960s when offices were often male dominated.

Research shows that women would be less comfortable at these temperatures owing to metabolic differences (for more information on this subject you can check out our guide to ideal office temperatures).

The onus is on companies to offer inclusive workplaces that consider everyone’s wellbeing and comfort while also addressing specific needs. This means building more innovative and interesting spaces.

Supporting menopause with workplace design

It bears repeating that workplace design features that support menopause, menstruation and maternity help create a better environment for everyone. You’ll likely find that all your employees are enthusiastic about prioritising wellbeing, comfort and personal dignity through design.

As most people experiencing menopause will agree, the lighting and ambient temperatures they need to be comfortable won’t always suit all their workmates. At the same time, they may be reluctant to mention that they’re uncomfortable and make adjustments that suit them to affect their colleagues unduly. Then, there’s fatigue and menopause-related stress to consider. Simple solutions can help.

Desk space and lighting

Simply providing enough desk space and a power outlet that will accommodate a fan will help people living with hormonal fluctuations feel more comfortable. Simple screens will help to keep the breeze away from co-workers who don’t want it. The same goes for individualised workspace lighting, a feature that almost all your employees will thank you for.

Private pods: benefits for all

If you’d like to take this to the next level, access to private work pods that keep the user in control of the environment and temperature will help people experiencing menopause to be more comfortable and productive. They’re also great for anyone who needs a little quiet work time to minimise stress or a calm, distraction-free environment to get things done.

Accommodating pregnancy in the workplace

Like those experiencing menopause, pregnant people will be thankful for access to private workspaces and recovery areas where they’re in control of the environment. Other office design features to help them will also benefit the rest of your workforce. Here are some ideas:

Adjustable-height desks and workstations

Being cramped into a single posture all day long isn’t good for anyone, and it’s especially uncomfortable during pregnancy. Desks that allow people to work while seated or standing help to solve the problem.

This offers individualised comfort for everyone, and there’ll be fewer people with lower back pain from hours spent behind a desk. Better yet, go all out with a flexible approach to office design that allows people to choose their ideal workspaces for different tasks.

Ergonomic office furniture

Poor workplace ergonomics causes fatigue, aches, and pains that affect all workers – not just those who are pregnant. Countless studies show that good workplace ergonomics can combat these problems and help people be more productive and reduce absenteeism, so your investment will be worthwhile in every way.

Encourage low-impact movement

Whether it’s a dedicated area for wellbeing, a gym, or just a private room, having space to stretch and do a little low-impact exercise will help employees relieve physical and psychological stress.  As for pregnant people, staying active not only helps to reduce aches and pains but prepares them for easier labour and childbirth.

Office design for menstruation

Menstruation doesn’t prevent most people from working well, but it can lead to self-consciousness and varying levels of pain and discomfort. It’s important to remember that not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman, so offering a combination of privacy and inclusivity is key. This is especially important when designing toilets and bathroom facilities. A little consideration can go a long way, and there are several things to bear in mind.

Inclusive and accessible restrooms

A study published by  Rutgers University found that gender-neutral bathrooms with private cubicles promoted feelings of inclusion and safety across genders. Some organisations are hedging their bets, offering both gendered and gender-neutral facilities. Whatever your approach may be, acknowledging your people’s menstruation-related needs by offering accessible, gender-neutral facilities will be a big help.

Sanitary facilities offering privacy and a safe place to keep clean during menstruation are important to your employees’ confidence. Discreet facilities for the disposal of sanitary products are a basic requirement but you can do much more to help, such as ensuring bathrooms have shower facilities with enough space for people to comfortably change clothes.

Seating choices

When menstrual flow is heavy, employees may feel nervous about possible damage to office furniture upholstery. Offer seating options with wipe-clean surfaces for those who may feel more confident when using them.

Spaces for employees experiencing discomfort

There are many circumstances in which a rest area can help employees overcome temporary discomfort. For example, a person with a headache may need a little rest while they wait for pain medication to take effect.

People experiencing mild to moderate menstrual cramps will also be thankful for a little respite. Provide opportunities for privacy and adjustable lighting, and consider offering access to a heating pad for muscle cramps and backache.

Combating stress and fatigue

Stress is often the trigger for discomfort in the workplace, and people experiencing pregnancy, menopause or menstruation aren’t the only ones who occasionally feel stressed at work. Here are a few examples of how office design can help to lower those stress levels.

Colour schemes

As we explore in our guide on the role of colour in workplace design – the right shade can go a long way in creating a more tranquil environment. That’s not to say that your office has to be bland or clinical. It just means you might want to use more vibrant and stimulating colours as accents rather than having them dominate the overall palette. 

Lighting

Although office lighting design is very important for wellbeing,  survey revealed that about 40 per cent of people have to deal with uncomfortable lighting while at work.

Common complaints include flickering light and overly dim or bright lighting, and if people are already experiencing tiredness because of pregnancy, menopause or menstruation, the effects of poor lighting will be exacerbated even further.

Decent lighting is ultimately an investment in productivity. The aim is always to provide an abundance of natural light, but we understand that this cannot always be achieved. Fortunately, there are lighting technologies that mimic natural light and allow for individualised adjustments.

Bringing nature indoors

Another great stress reliever, biophilic design is a hallmark of many of our designs. We love bringing natural elements into our office designs, and not only because they look great.

Being near plants, hearing the sound of water, and enjoying the beauty and texture of natural materials like wood or stone works wonders as a stress reliever. There’s even evidence that it helps people to be more productive at work: once again, it’s an all-round winner.

At Interaction, we’re constantly seeking new and innovative ways to support people and their wellbeing through office design. By thinking more carefully about this, you can help to support the reproductive health of your employees and create a genuinely inclusive workplace that benefits everyone.