Menopause is burning up senior-level women’s careers. 4 things companies can do to keep them from burning out

Kacy Fleming experienced severe hot flashes and personality changes while presenting in a boardroom, initially attributing them to workplace stress. These symptoms, which began in her thighs and rose through her torso, were part of her perimenopause, a condition she did not recognize for three years despite working in healthcare. Fleming, then head of global well-being for Takeda, found that perimenopause "almost took my career, my marriage and my life away from me." She eventually left Takeda and founded The Fuchsia Tent, an organization focused on helping companies retain senior female leaders by addressing menopause-related challenges. Fleming's experience highlights a broader issue where menopause symptoms can significantly impact the careers of senior-level women, leading to burnout and potential job loss. The article suggests that companies can implement strategies to support these employees, preventing them from "burning out." These strategies aim to create a more supportive environment that acknowledges and addresses the physiological and psychological effects of menopause, thereby retaining valuable talent within organizations. The challenges faced by Fleming underscore the need for greater awareness and proactive support systems within the corporate world for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.