Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | September 22, 2025 | wbjournal.com inappropriate for them to do so, said Foubian. She encourages employers to connect the dots for employees so they know supportive menopause services are out there and covered, including mental health support and medications and treatments. If employers aren't aware of what benefit services are available for their employees experiencing menopause, Zolezzi-Wyndham said it's important to ask their benefits providers and exam- ine their packages. "e best workplaces are going to improve their systems to provide that flexibility or that accommodation pro- actively, as opposed to reactively … so that it doesn't become about a woman who has a specific challenge right in this moment," she said. Having the right work culture around menopause and accommodation is important, as specific people may need specific accommodations they can get only receive by asking, she said. "e more that we normalize that it's okay to talk about these things, the more that people are going to be comfortable asking for what they need," said Zolezzi-Wyndham. "What are you doing to create an environment where the person can ask for what they need, and also, what are you doing to invite that somebody to share?" Women are now working well past menopause and have really productive years ahead of them, said Foubian. Em- ployers accommodating them during that time is beneficial for everyone. "ese are your most experienced workers. ey've got institutional knowledge. ey are probably your most valuable employees," she said. F O C U S DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION pause, dealing with significant sleep disturbances and brain fog. A once solid sleeper, she all of a sudden began waking up at 3 a.m., unable to fall back asleep. "en the next day, I felt like I was dragging," she said. "It would be that thing where I'd read the same sentence 12 times, not understanding, retaining the information. And for me, working with patients, that's very pertinent." Foubian sees menopause and the workplace as having a bi-directional relationship, with some aspects of work affecting menopause and the other way around. Accommodating menopause in the workplace Different kinds of physical accom- modations are needed for those in menopause for jobs throughout various industries and environments, according to e Menopause Society. e report recommends physically demanding jobs, or ones that take place outside, should afford women a flexible dress code policy along with access to cold water and cooling areas. For jobs that are more stagnant and/or emotion- ally draining, it's recommended to allow for flexible hours and remote work options when possible. Beyond physical accommodations, Henriquez recommends companies and organizations incorporate more wom- en's health resources and programs into their health and wellness benefits. Workplaces don't even necessarily need separate policies pertaining to menopause, though it wouldn't be Where World-Class Entertainment Shines Discover dance, Broadway, and more at a cultural gem of New England. Get inspired at TheHanoverTheatre.org | 877.571.7469 Dance Theatre of Harlem Company Artists Carly Greene, Kouadio Davis, Elias Re, and Alexandra Hutchinson. Photo by Nir Arieli. Member FDIC Located in Worcester County. Supporting Worcester County. For more information, contact: Bob Paulsen Commercial Banking Center Manager 100 Front Street | Worcester, MA 01608 Cell: 508.254.8582 Robert.Paulsen@RocklandTrust.com Commercial Banking & Lending Treasury Management Services Investment Management Solutions* * Not Insured by FDIC or Any Other Government Agency. Not Rockland Trust Guaranteed. Not Rockland Trust Deposits or Obligations. May Lose Value. Menopause typically begins between ages 45 and 55, but women can start the transition period known as perimenopause and feel its symptoms as early as 35, Henriquez said. Continued from previous page W PHOTO | EDD COTE

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