195 Menopause-Related Workplace Discrimination, What You Need To Know

Hello, Hot Flash: Conversations about menopause, women’s health and mindset for midlife women.

Show Notes

Are you concerned with the way your perimenopausal or post-menopausal symptoms are impacting you at work? If so, or if you foresee a concern, check out my recent interview

Emily Gold Waldman, Bridget Crawford, and Naomi Cahn are three legal experts who have been diving deep into the issue of menopause discrimination in the workplace through their extensive research and advocacy efforts. Waldman, in her role as the Associate Dean at Pace University, sheds light on the interconnected nature of menopause, sex, and age discrimination, pushing for cultural and legal reforms similar to those in the UK to create more inclusive environments. Crawford, a distinguished professor also at Pace University, views menopause discrimination as a form of sex discrimination and emphasizes the need for broader legal protections and cultural shifts to support menopausal individuals. Naomi Cahn, a professor at UVA Law School, points out the lack of federal protection against menopause discrimination and champions the importance of open, stigma-free discussions, suggesting informal resolutions and the adoption of universal design principles in workplaces to accommodate all affected individuals.

Timstamp

(00:03:24) Menopause Discrimination and Workplace Accommodations

(00:09:14) "Workplace Challenges: Menopause Accommodation Rights"

(00:18:44) Promoting Openness on Menopause in Workplaces

(00:28:10) Menopause Industry: Balancing Privacy and Protection

(00:30:09) Inclusive Workplace Policies for Menopause Symptoms

(00:33:13) Menopause Policies Shaping UK Workplace Culture

(00:37:07) Menopause's Intersection with Discrimination and Well-being

About The Guests

Emily Gold Waldman is the Associate Dean for Faculty Development and a Professor of Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Bridget J. Crawford is a University Distinguished Professor at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She is the co-author, with Emily Gold Waldman, of Menstruation Matters (2022), among other publications. Naomi R. Cahn is the Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Law and Nancy L. Buc '69 Research Professor in Democracy and Equity at the University of Virginia School of Law. She is the author of numerous books, including most recently, Fair Shake (2024).

Additional Resources

• Listen to my limited series podcast "Christian Women and Menopause" for Bible-based strategies on dealing with menopause symptoms like stress, anxiety, and depression.