Women in Change – Wechseljahre am Arbeitsplatz als arbeitsmedizinische Herausforderung mit besonderem Fokus auf Fuhrungskräfte

Women in Change – Menopause in the workplace as an occupational health challenge with a special focus on managers Objective: Menopause is associated with a wide range of somatic and psychological symptoms that may impair work ability. Women in leadership positions are particularly affected due to increased responsibilities and stress exposure. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of menopausal symptoms on work performance among female executives and to identify related needs for workplace support. Method: The anonymous online survey targeted exclusively individuals in leadership positions. The study was exploratory in nature and not representative. A total of 821 fully completed datasets were analyzed. The questionnaire was based on the MenoSupport study and was expanded to include leadership-specific aspects. Results: Of the 821 managers surveyed, 567 women (69.1 %) reported menopausal symptoms. Of these, 51.9 % (n=294) stated that these symptoms impair their professional performance. Cognitive impairment, emotional instability, and fatigue were particularly frequently cited. Furthermore, a high proportion of women reported presenteeism despite symptom distress. Conclusion: The findings highlight the occupational health relevance of menopause, particularly among women in leadership roles. There is a clear need for corporate-level measures including awareness, destigmatization, and structural support within workplace health promotion strategies. Keywords: menopause – occupational health – female leadership – performance – workplace support