Empowering Women: Oonagh O’Hagan on Menopause Inclusivity in the Workplace

We were incredibly excited to have had Oonagh O’Hagan as one of our esteemed judges for this year’s Menopause Workplace Excellence Awards (MWE Awards), which took place on Thursday 10th October. The MWE Awards is a partnership between Menopause Hub Academy and Great Place to Work to highlight organisations that are creating supportive environments for women experiencing menopause. With *84% of menopausal women reporting that their symptoms have negatively affected their work performance, and one-third considering leaving their jobs because of these challenges, it’s evident that workplaces must adapt to better support all employees.

As the Managing Director of Meaghers Pharmacy Group and a pharmacist with a passion for female health, Oonagh’s expertise is invaluable to our mission. Recently named WMB Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the importance of menopause inclusivity in the workplace.

Below, Oonagh shares why she was so excited to be a part of the MWE Awards, how addressing menopause in the workplace can positively impact employee well-being, and what advice she has for companies just beginning their menopause inclusivity journey. Her perspective offers a unique look at how businesses can embrace practical changes to support women through these transformative years.

We’re so grateful for her thoughtful insights and hope they will inspire other organisations to make meaningful changes.

Why were you excited to be involved as a judge with the MWE Awards?

I was excited to be a judge on this year’s MWE Awards because as a judge, it gave me the opportunity to evaluate and determine the best among the best of companies really striving to make a difference in this vitally important area, to support women through their perimenopause and menopause years. It gave us a chance to showcase the best-in-class companies and to recognise and reward their efforts whilst setting the benchmark for other Irish companies to strive to improve towards.

 

*37% of women we surveyed said they had missed time off work due to their menopause symptoms. How do you think addressing menopause in the workplace contributes to overall employee well-being and productivity?

I think addressing menopause in the workplace shows women that we understand what they are going through during these years and that we value them and their contribution hugely and are willing to support them through these years of hormone fluctuations so that they can remain within the workplace and, with slight adaptations to their way of working and enhancing their environment, they can remain productive and know that we value them and care about their wellbeing.

 

Why do you think there’s been a growing focus on menopause support in workplaces recently?

I think that there are more open conversations around menopause now, more education and knowledge being spread by experts, and as a result women are more open to sharing how they are honestly feeling with their colleagues or managers. As a result, businesses are beginning to understand the very real challenges that present for women during their menopausal years, and with practical changes to their practices and environment, how many of these challenges can be overcome. Businesses do not want to lose very well-experienced women who have contributed hugely to their success and want to do more to support them, and so more open and honest conversations are now being had within teams and within senior leadership teams which sets the culture for the entire organisation.

 

What message would you like to give to companies just beginning their journey towards menopause inclusivity?

Just start this journey, engage with your people and begin. You do not want to lose some of your best people within your business. Women who have added huge value to your businesses over the years. Very often companies might not know where to start but it begins with engagement – you don’t need to know all the answers but by opening the conversations you will begin to realise that small tweaks and changes can make the world of a difference and demonstrate that you really care. There are plenty of other companies to learn from and lots of supports available through The Menopause Hub and other valuable resources.

 

Our heartfelt thanks to Oonagh for taking the time to answer these important questions and serving as one of our judges at this year’s MWE Awards. Oonagh’s passion for advancing women’s health and her commitment to fostering menopause inclusivity in the workplace will surely serve as a powerful inspiration for others in the business community. Be sure to follow Oonagh on Instagram for expert advice on all things health and wellness.

If you’re an organisation interested in becoming menopause inclusive, contact Menopause Hub Academy.

* Menopause Hub Survey, September 2023, among 3,044 peri/menopausal respondents.