Managers Shouldn’t Ignore Women’s Health: A Vital Component in Achieving Workplace Equality
Let’s agree on key issues first
First and foremost, I’d like to start with two assumptions: I will assume my readers agree that, as confirmed by many studies such as those by the American Psychological Association (APA, see here), or from the International Labor Organization (ILO, see here), having gender balance in a company, and particularly at decision-making level, is an element of success for an organization. Secondly, I will also assume that you understand why employee wellbeing is a key element to retain, engage, and motivate employees, and to foster their productivity (see for example Gallup’s report here).
Even if we’ve seen more articles recently mentioning some topics related to women’s health (such as this one in December 2023 from the FT), the keyword “menopause at work” remains fairly constant in Google Trends for example. Nonetheless, the intersection of women’s health and professional life is critical and we will explore why managers, irrespective of their gender, should pay attention to and support women’s health in the workplace.
You don’t need to know to understand
Now of course anything related to employee health is and should remain confidential. If an employee is sick, HR can get a note from a doctor to confirm this is the case, but not be informed as to what the reasons might be. It might be uncomfortable for a woman to talk about health-related issues but the important point here isn’t so much whether they should talk about it or not, but rather that their manager should learn about them and become more open to the idea that women face health-related situations that can be difficult, even if they don’t share it. It is not about prying into personal details but rather acknowledging that they might encounter difficulties that aren’t necessarily immediately apparent.
As a man, I don’t need to have a first hand experience of pain related to periods, pregnancy, or menopause for example to understand those can be very challenging, and that — even if I’m not aware of people’s individual situations at a specific moment in time — I need to be open-minded and be ready to offer support in those cases the same way I would offer support to any member of my team facing a challenging situation that isn’t directly related to the workplace. Understanding the unique aspects of women’s health is a step toward creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
It’s not just family business
Sometimes you hear men saying things like: “of course I know it’s important, I think of my wife / mother / sister / daughter”. While I understand that having close relatives impacted by those topics may help develop an awareness to the issue (and this applies to me as well), I don’t think this is really an argument in itself, particularly in the workplace. Women’s health is a universal human experience that demands respect and understanding from all individuals, regardless of their personal connections. A commitment to recognizing and addressing the challenges women may encounter in the workplace is a fundamental aspect of promoting gender equality.
Learning by doing
As far as I’m concerned, this is why I’m happy to be involved in the topic of women in the workplace at two levels: first of all, I am working in the area of Business Coaching, which serves as a valuable tool that can empower women, especially those aspiring to or already in leadership roles (more about Speexx Coaching here). I see my commitment to this area as a proactive stance in supporting women’s professional development.
Furthermore, I’m happy to support a small business developing natural food supplements for women’s health (more about Nuwa Nature here). By actively participating in initiatives that directly impact women’s lives, I do my best to create a more gender-balanced work environment.
I’m convinced managers play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of a workplace. By understanding and acknowledging the unique aspects of women’s health, people in leadership can contribute to a more inclusive, empathetic, and supportive professional environment. Recognizing women’s health is a fundamental aspect of human existence that deserves respect, understanding, and active support not just between women but from men as well.
