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Women’s health is becoming a prominent talking point and priority for many businesses.
We see this from the numerous initiatives aimed at improving workplace wellness and support. For instance, lots of companies now offer enhanced maternity and parental leave, training sessions to increase knowledge, and flexible working arrangements to accommodate women’s health needs.
However recent statistics show that 57% of women feel that women’s health is still treated as a taboo topic and 32% feel uncomfortable when talking about women’s health¹, whether this is discussing their periods or menopause symptoms.
These statistics highlight that, despite the development of workplace programmes to support women’s health, much work remains to be done. There is a lack of engagement within the industry, often due to ineffective delivery and implementation of initiatives. Failure to consider the unique needs and experiences of female employees often leads to a lack of uptake and, therefore, results.
Another common pitfall is the lack of genuine engagement from top management, which can render these initiatives ineffective. Without leadership buy-in, programmes may lack the necessary resources and visibility, ultimately failing to make a meaningful impact. Furthermore, a one-size-fits-all approach can be detrimental. Women’s health needs are diverse and dynamic, requiring tailored strategies that consider the different life stages and unique challenges faced by women in the workplace.
At Bupa, part of our mission is to make sure women’s health is not addressed as a tick-box exercise, but genuinely improves wellbeing, working environments, and company performance. We recognise that promoting women’s health in the workplace is not just a matter of implementing policies, but fostering an environment where open conversations about health can thrive. By breaking the silence and encouraging conversations, we aim to empower our employees to speak up about their health concerns without fear of judgment or stigma.
Education is a cornerstone of our approach. We provide comprehensive training sessions designed to increase awareness and understanding of women’s health issues. These sessions, alongside our Women’s Health Hub – a dedicated resource designed to equip our workforce with the tools and information they need – help women to manage their health effectively.
To read more from our latest e-book click here: Women’s health at work: A business imperative
The e-book provides a detailed explanation of the impact of hormone health, outlines the responsibilities employers hold in supporting women’s wellbeing and discusses the issue of bladder health.
It also emphasises the importance for organisations to establish an effective structured plan to support their employees.
Sources:
1 Bupa Data – wellbeing index.
