The hidden cost of untreated menopause in the workplace isn’t just personal discomfort—it’s lost productivity, stalled careers, and organisations quietly losing experienced talent.

In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Pauline James sits down with Dr Woganee Filate, respirologist, sleep medicine physician, and co-founder of Loom Women’s Health, to unpack how menopause directly affects performance, retention, and workplace culture.

As many as 1 in 10 women leave the workforce due to unmanaged menopausal symptoms, including brain fog, hot flashes, heavy bleeding, mood changes, and chronic sleep disruption—often at the peak of their careers. Dr Filate explains why menopause is a workplace issue, not a private health matter, and why silence costs employers far more than support ever will.

This conversation bridges medicine and management, covering:

• The real workplace impact and economic cost of untreated menopause
• The most disruptive menopausal symptoms at work—and why they matter
• Evidence-based treatments, including hormone and non-hormonal options
• Sleep, mental health, and lifestyle strategies that restore focus and performance
• Low-cost workplace accommodations employers can implement quickly
• How education, formal menopause policies, and internal champions reduce stigma
• Safer disclosure paths and better support for midlife women at work
• Why menopause care is a long-term performance and retention strategy

Dr Filate also shares her own mid-career pivot into entrepreneurship, challenging outdated ideas about career peaks and reminding leaders that purpose, flexibility, and support are powerful retention tools.

If you lead people, manage benefits, or care about inclusion, wellbeing, and keeping experienced talent thriving through every stage of life, this episode provides practical insights and clear first steps.

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