More than 70% of workplaces fail to meet women’s health needs, but simple measures can improve productivity and job satisfaction
According to a new survey by global healthy eating app Lifesum, more than half (51.9%) of women surveyed would consider quitting their current job for one that would cater to their menstrual health needs.
Wesleigh Roeca, director of workplace wellness at Lifesum, said the new findings reveal gaps in support for hormone and menstrual health and highlight the need for workplaces to meet the health needs of female employees.
Lifesum’s survey comes as Gen Z and Millennials are embracing holistic health practices and prioritizing workplace wellness when searching for jobs.
Key data from women
Employers may be surprised to learn that the menstrual cycle can have a significant impact on workplace well-being, according to Lifesum. The healthy eating app found that 85.9% of women surveyed reported a decrease in overall energy and focus, while respondents also noted that the menstrual cycle had an impact on their mental health (56.9%), stress levels (52.7%) and productivity (48.7%).
Despite these findings, Lifesum found a lack of employer support for menstrual or hormonal health — 70.4% said their employer didn’t offer any assistance, such as flexible work hours, educational resources or free menstrual products.
Small changes, big impact
Considering that a Lifesum survey showed that 83.9% of people said they would continue to work despite feeling menstrual discomfort, this healthy eating platform encourages people to make a change.
“To create a more inclusive and supportive work environment, we encourage organizations to adopt a ‘Keep Her Healthy’ policy that provides flexible work hours, additional health insurance, paid time off for conditions like menopause and endometriosis, and support for pregnancy and fertility challenges,” Roeca advises. “It also includes options for job sharing or reduced hours without penalty and educational resources.”
Lifesum’s survey shows that women are open to a variety of support arrangements: 72% are interested in flexible work arrangements, and 60.3% prefer dedicated menstrual and hormonal health leave. In addition, more than half (56.2%) of women surveyed want free sanitary products, while 29.8% want to be able to use health apps.
“Employers play an important role in creating an environment where women can thrive physically and mentally,” said Roeca. “Seventy percent of workplaces don’t address these needs, which is a missed opportunity to not only improve employee well-being, but also increase productivity and job satisfaction. Now is the time for companies to listen and take action, as it’s clear the need for change is growing.”
A new perspective on nutrition
While the majority of women surveyed (82%) are aware that a balanced diet and good nutrition can ease menstrual symptoms, Lifesum said it’s equally important for employers to understand the link.
“Our hormones influence nearly every aspect of our health—mood, hunger, energy, and fertility,” Roeca explains.
The healthy eating app offers a hormone health program, which it says is one of its most popular features, especially among Gen Z and millennial women. The program, currently used by employees at major employers like Amazon, General Electric and PayPal, provides personalized recommendations on nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.
Lifesum Eye Longevity
As consumers become more concerned about their health and well-being, their pursuit of health and wellness has extended to all aspects of life, from travel plans to work environments. Employers are starting to take notice — and platforms like Lifesum are well positioned to transform the work lives of companies and employees.
The global healthy eating platform has grown its user base to more than 65 million and recently acquired German biomarker testing company Lykon, a move that highlights its interest in highly personalized nutrition. Lifesum CEO Markus Falk believes the deal will allow the platform to scale rapidly.
“By combining blood testing with world-class software design, we will enable incredible levels of personalization,” Lifesum CEO Markus Falk told Athletech News in an exclusive interview earlier this month. “We are also seeing a growing demand for foods related to vitality and longevity, and we will continue to explore this area.”
Fitness professionals can help address women’s health needs by incorporating menstrual health and hormonal health education into their programs. By providing resources and creating a supportive environment, they can help clients manage symptoms that impact energy and productivity. Designing specialized programs focused on women’s health and partnering with wellness platforms may improve the client experience and attract a wider audience.
