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Diageo leaders share insights for World Menopause Day

Diageo leaders share insights for World Menopause Day

 October 19, 2021

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Did you know that by 2025 there will be over 1 billion women experiencing menopause in the world?

As Diageo marks World Menopause Day, a day to help raise awareness of menopause and the support available, Diageo Global Talent Director Louise Prashad shares how we can all play a role in supporting those going through menopause.

"Whilst improving gender equality in the workplace has been a critical focus for businesses over the past decade, menopause remains a topic that is largely taboo in the workplace," says Louise.

"I am pleased to see that the conversation is becoming more open and with World Menopause Day we have an opportunity to continue to raise awareness. But there is so much more that businesses, including ours, need to do beyond raising awareness."

Implementing changes to support women in the workplace

Louise explains how, although Diageo is starting to implement changes that support women in the workplace to thrive during the menopause, the company understands that there is more to do. 

"This begins with listening carefully to our colleagues and creating an environment where open, and often uncomfortable conversations can take place. We are also actively encouraging all our people to build their understanding of how menopause impacts women in the workplace and their personal lives," she adds. 

"This needs to be backed up with tailored and practical support that can be easily accessed, recognising that every woman will have a unique experience through menopause."

Supporting employees through global Menopause Guidelines

Diageo worked in partnership with employee resource group, the Spirited Women Network, and alongside the active support of a number of women in the business who shared their personal experiences, to design global Menopause Guidelines Thriving through Menopause.

One colleague, Performance Improvement Lead Julie-Ann Rooney, had always considered herself a ‘bubbly happy worker’, until menopause stripped this away from her. For the first time in her life, she found herself losing confidence at work, becoming anxious, struggling to engage, and suffering serious fatigue.  

Raising awareness of the menopause 

Diageo's Menopause Guidelines were launched in March 2021 and are live across 20 countries including North America and Latin America & Caribbean businesses, as well as the UK, Ireland, Turkey, Australia, and Indonesia - with more markets to follow.

Through these guidelines, female employees are encouraged to talk to line managers about practical needs, as well as have access to counselling or mindfulness sessions, and increased flexibility around things such as shift patterns or sick pay. 

In addition, the guidelines provide education to line managers and the wider business about understanding menopause and the effects it can have.

An improvement in working life

In response to Diageo's Menopause Guidelines, Julie's working life has improved. She has also felt empowered to identify further women who may be experiencing menopause, and to offer support and start a conversation with them about this life stage.

"When we don't talk about the menopause, we fail to realise the impact it has on our work and our lives," explains Julie-Ann.

"There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but Diageo's Menopause Guidelines Thriving Through Menopause have encouraged me and my colleagues to share our stories and seek the support we need for our careers to progress."


Be supported in your life and work at Diageo

Diageo is committed to creating a supportive workplace where every person experiences dignity at work and feels valued, respected and free to succeed.

Part of this involves providing support to, and removing barriers for, people experiencing life events that may impact their employee experience.

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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.


                       

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