{"id":320569,"date":"2025-11-26T20:58:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T20:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/uncategorized\/future-of-work-with-catalyst-jennifer-mccollum\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T20:58:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T20:58:48","slug":"future-of-work-with-catalyst-jennifer-mccollum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=320569","title":{"rendered":"Future of Work with Catalyst: Jennifer McCollum"},"content":{"rendered":"


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09 Feb<\/span> Future of Work with Catalyst: Jennifer McCollum<\/h2>\n

Breaking the Silence on\u00a0Menopause<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>It\u2019s time for employers to take action to support women during this life stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I turned 50,\u00a0I was at the peak of my career as the first woman CEO of a global leadership firm. At the same time, menopause symptoms began to affect me, often during critical moments like client presentations or board meetings. The hot flashes were distracting and embarrassing, but I stayed silent at work, fearing what my colleagues would think. Even after years of advocating for gender equity, I struggled to talk about menopause in the workplace. My experience highlights an issue millions of women face: menopause remains largely stigmatized and hidden at work.<\/span><\/p>\n

And yet, menopause is a natural life transition, much like having children or caring for aging parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

It shouldn\u2019t be a secret. We\u2019ve come a long way in normalizing conversations about other life events, such as parental leave or eldercare, but menopause is still too often met with silence. This needs to change\u2014both for the well-being of employees and for the success of businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

A recent Catalyst report reveals that although 91 percent of respondents going through menopause have experienced at least one moderate to extremely severe symptom, 72 percent have hidden them at work at least once. More than a third (37 percent) say these symptoms negatively impact their work performance. Despite all this, workplace support remains scarce.<\/span><\/p>\n

For companies focused on inclusion and retaining top talent, ignoring menopause can be costly. I\u2019ve seen firsthand how stigma can drive talented women away at the peak of their career. Nearly 84 percent of respondents in the Catalyst survey believe workplaces need better support for employees experiencing menopause, and some are even turning down opportunities or leaving jobs due to a lack of support.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the United States alone, menopause-related productivity losses are estimated at $1.8 billion annually, but having the right support could make a world of difference. It\u2019s time for employers to take action to support women during this life stage. It isn\u2019t just the right thing to do\u2014it\u2019s a smart business decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

Employees say they want concrete support from their employers. And our data backs this up.<\/span><\/p>\n