Normalising Menopause: Insights from our BIMA Roundtable Experience

2 April 2024 2 mins read

With a spectrum of over 60 symptoms, ranging from brain fog to mood swings, each woman’s experience with Menopause is unique, making it clear that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

A diverse audience sits attentively in a conference room, focused on a panel of speakers at the front. The image is slightly blurred, emphasizing the engaged crowd over the identifying details of the individuals.

We recently had the privilege of attending a BIMA Roundtable titled “Menopause Matters,” where our Head of Client Services, Rachel Berry, participated in the important conversation surrounding menopause in the digital marketing industry.

Led by Dee Walsh, a distinguished menopause coach from Dewa Consulting, the session highlighted the pressing need for normalising menopause and supporting women through this significant life transition.

Shockingly, up to 85% of women endure one or more symptoms, impacting their daily lives and work productivity. Despite its average duration of five years, the absence of comprehensive treatments beyond HRT poses significant challenges to women’s quality of life during this period.

The lack of formal menopause policies in the workplace, evident in only 29% of UK companies, exacerbates the struggles faced by women, with a third reporting that menopause impacts their work life.

As a woman about to tip into this stage of life, I feel reassured that I have the support of my workplace and colleagues at Filter. It’s comforting to know that as I navigate through this phase, I have a supportive environment and understanding colleagues by my side.

Rachel Berry

Head of Client Services, FILTER

A woman with long brown hair smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a dark blazer over a patterned blouse, standing against a gray stone background.

Understanding Menopause in the Workplace

The discussion highlighted the importance of flexible working arrangements to support women navigating menopause. It’s essential to educate male leaders about the diverse symptoms women may experience during this phase, impacting their professional lives. With over 13 million women in the UK undergoing menopause, and a staggering 85% experiencing symptoms, it’s evident that tailored support is vital.

By acknowledging the impact of menopause in the workplace and implementing tailored support measures, companies can empower women to navigate this phase with confidence and continue contributing meaningfully to their careers.

A person writes with a pen on a notepad, resting on a closed laptop, at a wooden desk. The focus is on the hand and writing tools.
A woman sits at a desk, holding her glasses in one hand while pinching the bridge of her nose with the other. She appears fatigued, with soft light streaming through a window in the background.

Addressing Workplace Challenges

Menopause presents a myriad of symptoms, including brain fog, fatigue and mood swings, yet formal workplace policies addressing these issues remain sparse. Despite its prevalence, only a fraction of UK companies have formal menopause policies in place. This gap highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to support women in the workplace.

At Filter, we recognise the significance of accommodating our staff through life’s challenges, including menopause. With team members transitioning into both perimenopause and menopause, our commitment to a family-first ethos resonates deeply. Our flexible working policies enable employees to balance professional responsibilities with personal well-being, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.

Embracing Change and Empowerment

Amidst the trend of many companies opting to return to the office full-time, we at Filter proudly stand by our commitment to maintaining a remote-first and flexible approach. By prioritising empathy and understanding, we not only aim to retain talent but also strive to cultivate a culture of inclusivity where every individual feels valued and supported.

Our experience at the BIMA Roundtable served as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of menopause awareness and support in the workplace. It underscored how essential it is to empower women to navigate menopause confidently while continuing to thrive in their careers. This reaffirms our dedication to championing initiatives that foster a supportive environment for all employees, regardless of their life stage or circumstances.

Smiling woman with long dark hair wearing earphones, indoors. She is looking directly at the camera, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.

We invite you to explore more about our values and available positions by visiting our About page. Additionally, we encourage connecting with our leadership team via LinkedIn, to stay updated on our journey towards fostering a positive workplace culture and embracing meaningful change where possible.

At Filter, we remain committed to championing inclusivity and shaping a workplace where everyone can thrive. Together, let’s continue the conversation and work towards building a more supportive and empathetic environment for all.

Rachel Berry
Rachel Berry

Client Services Director

Approachable and down to earth, Rachel has a history of building strong, trusted client relationships. She’s experienced in delivering digital solutions across a range of technologies and channels. Results-focused, she believes in always doing the right thing for your business.

Read More

Two browser windows on a blue background, one displaying the WordPress logo and the other showing a chat interface with message bubbles. A central icon cluster suggests data exchange or integration between the two platforms.

How We Connected WordPress to AI Using the Abilities API and MCP

Our open-source Filter Abilities plugin uses the new WordPress Abilities API to give AI assistants direct access to your site. This unlocks conversational commands to manage content, audit SEO, and analyze visitor data, transforming how you interact with your digital platform.

Two panels showing "BIMA100 Judge 2026" with grayscale portraits of Oliver Morrison and Paul Halfpenny on a blue background.

Filter’s Co-Founders Selected as BIMA 100 Judges for 2026

We are proud our co-founders will judge the 2026 BIMA 100, celebrating the UK’s top digital talent. This reflects our commitment to the digital community and our deep expertise in engineering scalable digital platforms that deliver measurable, transformative business outcomes for our trusted client partners.

A scorecard comparing AI tools by overall score. ChatGPT leads with 58, followed by Claude at 61, Gemini at 52, Bing Copilot at 56, AI Overviews at 40, and Perplexity at 35. The overall average score is 50 out of 100, placing in the top 50%.

Introducing Filter’s Free LLM AI Search Optimisation Audit

Our free LLM AI Optimisation Audit analyses your page across six major AI platforms, scoring 70+ ranking factors and delivering prioritised, actionable fixes to improve visibility on ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and more.

Interested in working with us?