Empowering Conversations: The Menopause NI Conference 2024 – A Game-Changer for Workplaces

October marks Menopause Awareness Month, a crucial time to shine a light on the perimenopause and menopause, which affect all women at some point in their lives.

The event promises to be an insightful and empowering platform for discussions on how menopause, and its often-overlooked health impacts, affect women in the workplace and beyond.
Organised by Menopause NI’s founder, Siobhan Kearney, this conference comes at a time when both businesses and communities are starting to acknowledge the importance of menopause support for women. With expert speakers, workshops, and personal stories, the event will provide practical advice and proactive steps for both individuals and employers. If you haven’t already marked your calendar for this key event, here’s why it’s a must-attend.

Why We Need to Talk About Menopause Now
Menopause has long been a taboo subject, particularly in the workplace, where the conversation is often confined to whispers and misunderstood complaints. However, with 51% of the population experiencing menopause and 67% of women reporting psychological symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, and loss of confidence (according to CIPD research), the time for silence is over.
The workplace is a critical space where there is an opportunity to really support menopausal women. Many women between the ages of 45 and 55 are at the peak of their careers when perimenopause hits. Yet, studies show that menopausal symptoms often lead women to reduce their working hours or even exit the workforce altogether. This is why creating awareness, understanding, and policies that support menopausal women is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
At the Menopause NI Conference, this very topic will be explored in depth, highlighting the intersection between menopause and health and wellbeing, and how businesses can play an active role in supporting women through this phase.

Siobhan Kearney’s Journey: Turning Personal Experience into Purpose
Siobhan Kearney’s journey to becoming a menopause advocate began with her own lived experience. After spending over three decades in senior leadership roles across the community and voluntary sectors in Northern Ireland, she found herself blindsided by perimenopause.
"Like many women, I didn’t realise what was happening to me. When I started feeling anxious and overwhelmed at work, it didn’t even cross my mind that it could be menopause," she says.
Siobhan’s personal experience became a catalyst for her founding Menopause NI in 2020. She now dedicates her time to providing menopause awareness training in workplaces, communities, and the statutory sector. Her workshops, which are evidence-based and supported by clinical guidance, offer vital insights into both the physical and mental health challenges women face during menopause.
This year’s conference is a culmination of Siobhan’s passion for raising awareness, and it serves as a platform to address the significant gap in menopause education, particularly when it comes to some of the proactive steps women can take to support themselves, and what employers can do to ensure their employees have the appropriate support they need to continue to contribute their experience and expertise within the workplace
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Menopause and Mental Health: Breaking the Silence
One of the themes of the Menopause NI Conference is how menopause affects mental health—a topic that is often harder to discuss than the physical symptoms. While issues like hot flushes and night sweats are frequently acknowledged, the psychological toll—anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and a loss of confidence—often goes unaddressed.
As Siobhan notes, “The mental health symptoms of menopause are some of the most common but also the least discussed. Women often don’t realise that their feelings of anxiety or low mood could be hormone-related. And in the workplace, these symptoms can make it extremely difficult for women to perform at their usual level, leading to reduced hours or even leaving their job altogether.”
This is where the conference aims to step in, offering not just information but also practical solutions. The speakers will explore how employers can create environments where women feel comfortable discussing their symptoms and seeking the support they need. It’s about moving beyond awareness to action—ensuring that women don’t have to face these challenges alone or in silence.

Menopause in the Workplace: What Employers Can Do
Despite the high percentage of women who experience debilitating symptoms, many workplaces still lack the policies or understanding to provide support. This lack of support can lead to productivity loss, absenteeism, or women feeling forced to leave the workforce prematurely.
Menopause NI’s Conference will emphasise the role employers can play in supporting their staff through this life stage. Attendees will hear from experts on how to create a menopause-friendly workplace, including policies for flexible working, adjustments to workloads, and fostering an environment where women feel safe to discuss their symptoms.
As Siobhan puts it, “It’s crucial for employers to understand that menopause is not just a ‘women’s issue.’ It’s a workforce issue. By supporting your employees through their menopausal transition, you’re not just helping them—you’re also boosting retention, morale, and productivity.”
The Conference will also delve into how employers can use the existing legal framework to ensure their policies are inclusive and supportive of menopausal staff. Beyond just compliance, it’s about building a culture of conversation and understanding that empowers women to continue thriving in their roles.

The Importance of Open Conversations
At the heart of the Menopause NI Conference is the importance of open, honest conversations about menopause. Siobhan believes that talking about menopause—both its physical and mental impacts—can be incredibly empowering for women.
“When I run workshops, the feedback I get is overwhelmingly positive. Many female participants tell me that they had no idea how much menopause could affect their physical and mental health. Some even say they thought they were ill because they didn’t understand what was happening to them. That’s why education is so critical,” Siobhan explains.
The Conference will create a safe space for these discussions, allowing women to share their experiences and learn from one another. It’s also a chance for men to get involved—many of whom attend Siobhan’s workshops to better understand what their partners, colleagues, or family members are going through.
Siobhan adds, “Menopause conversations in workplaces can be difficult, and my approach is to increase confidence and ease people into these conversations because, yes, it’s a serious topic, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. Menopause is something we should talk about with confidence and competence.”

What to Expect at the Menopause NI Conference
The Menopause NI Conference will feature a dynamic range of sessions, from expert panels to interactive workshops. Attendees will gain practical tools on how to manage menopause in the workplace. The agenda also includes:
•    Panel discussions featuring experts in women’s health, workplace wellbeing, and legal considerations.
•    Workshops focused on practical steps for both individuals and employers in supporting menopausal women.
•    Networking opportunities for attendees to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and gain new insights.
•    Exhibition stands from organisations providing relevant support on a range of menopause related topics
Whether you’re a business leader looking to support your staff, a woman experiencing menopause, or someone wanting to learn more about this critical stage of life, the Menopause NI Conference promises to be an invaluable experience.

Conclusion
The Menopause NI Conference is more than just a day of discussions—it’s a call to action for businesses, communities, and individuals to take menopause seriously. As Siobhan Kearney’s story shows, understanding and addressing menopause can be life-changing. With the right support and knowledge, women don’t have to suffer in silence or feel that they have to choose between their health and their career.
This October, make the time to engage with this important conversation. Join us at the Clayton Hotel Belfast on the 18th and be part of a movement that is working to change the way we talk about and support menopause in Northern Ireland.