A Strategic Imperative for Small Businesses

Small businesses across the UK are increasingly recognising the value of supporting women’s health in their workplaces.

Adopting this initiative leads to many benefits, including increased productivity and performance, reduced absenteeism, enhanced employee satisfaction and engagement, attracted and retained a talented workforce, fostered a diverse and inclusive environment, and enhanced brand image while creating socially responsible companies.

But the reality falls short of these ideals. Despite the clear benefits, many women still face significant health challenges at work. A staggering 68% of women report having experienced health problems during their career, with nearly 30% feeling unsupported by their employer. This rises to 36% who feel unsupported for women’s health issues such as menstruation, fertility, endometriosis and the menopause. As a result, women are at a disadvantage economically, with more than half of women taking time off work, nearly a quarter missing out on promotions and one in five women receiving lower pay. Alarmingly, 83% of women report financial consequences due to unmet health needs, leading many to exit the workforce altogether. The Office for National Statistics estimates that 58.4% of the UK’s economically inactive population is made up of women, highlighting the wider economic impact.

Ultimately, neglecting women’s health in the workplace costs the UK economy £20.2 billion a year.

Women’s Health Strategy for England

In 2022, the UK government published the Women’s Health Strategy for England, recognising that despite women making up 51% of the population and living longer than men, they still face barriers to accessing the healthcare they need. This 10-year plan aims to significantly improve health outcomes for women and girls, with a particular focus on women’s health in the workplace. The strategy promotes understanding of how women’s health impacts their experience of work, normalises conversations around taboo topics such as menstruation and the menopause, ensures women can stay productive and supported at work, and highlights examples of good employer practice.

As part of the strategy, the Department of Health and Social Care has allocated funds to organisations that address these issues, including Women’s Organisation.

Women’s Organization: Promoting Women’s Health in the Workplace

Women’s, the UK’s largest provider of training specifically for women, plays a pivotal role in addressing the unique challenges women face. The Women’s Health in the Workplace programme offers a comprehensive range of ‘packages’ containing tools, guidance, support and information to help small businesses attract and retain female talent by fostering a supportive workplace culture that prioritises women’s health and wellbeing.

These packages cover every aspect of women’s reproductive health, from menstruation to pregnancy to menopause, and provide employers with practical guidance to support women as they navigate these challenges. Developed in collaboration with medical, academic, legal and business experts, the programme provides accurate, evidence-based information to help employers.

Practical steps for employers

Employers can take several practical steps to support women’s health in the workplace:

• Flexible work arrangements: Offering flexible working hours and telecommuting options to help women balance work and health needs, especially during heavy and painful menstrual periods, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
• Wellness Programs: Implement wellness programs that focus on physical, mental, and emotional health, including fitness classes, mental health days, stress management workshops, and access to nutrition experts.
• Supportive Policies: Develop policies that support menstrual health, maternity and paternity leave, menopause, and other gender-specific health issues. Create an environment where women feel comfortable discussing their health needs without stigma or fear of discrimination.
• Training and awareness: Conduct regular training sessions for managers and employees on the importance of women’s health and how to support colleagues facing health challenges.

In addition, simple measures such as providing a safe and comfortable work environment with clean bathrooms, lactation rooms, comfortable furniture, access to menstrual products, fresh air, and drinking water can make a big difference.

Bridging the communication gap

Small business owners often struggle to know what is needed to support women’s health in their workplace. Many avoid discussing reproductive health issues due to discomfort, fear of saying the wrong thing, or being seen as insensitive. Similarly, women often feel embarrassed to discuss these issues with male employers or managers, with 65% feeling uncomfortable talking about their health at work. This reticence has significant emotional and professional impacts, with 90% of women feeling emotionally stressed, 46% feeling helpless, and 43% feeling less motivated at work.

Advocacy Development Program

To fill this gap, Women’s Health in the Workplace launched the Women’s Health Advocacy Development Program, which trains individuals to become women’s health advocates in their small businesses or organizations. These advocates serve as first points of contact or “listening ears” for colleagues, facilitating discussions and helping implement reasonable adjustments to support women’s health needs. The program has received the OPEN Awards Badge of Excellence, recognizing its quality and positive impact.

A strategic business imperative

Supporting women’s health in the workplace is not just a matter of social responsibility but a strategic business imperative. Anne-Marie Swift, Women’s Health in the Workplace Project Lead, comments: “When businesses prioritise the health and wellbeing of their female employees, they experience a range of benefits that positively impact the entire organisation. From improved productivity and reduced absenteeism to enhanced employee satisfaction and retention, the benefits are multifaceted and substantial.” Professor Maggie O’Carroll, Chief Executive of the Women’s Organisation, adds: “Women have specific healthcare needs, compared to their male counterparts, and despite women making up over half of the UK workforce, most SMEs do not understand the scale of support and flexibility required. The Women’s Health in the Workplace programme is vital in driving positive change within UK SMEs, helping to break down the taboo around women’s reproductive health, drive better gender equality outcomes and ultimately improve business performance as a direct result.”

Small businesses can access the Women’s Health in the Workplace program here: Women’s Health in the Workplace – Women’s Organization.

Supporting women’s health isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a smart business move that benefits everyone – women are the driving force behind good business.