Mrs Gaynor Heron1
1Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia, 2The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Gaynor is a Social Worker with over 25 years’ experience supporting diverse client groups, with strengths in communication, engagement, and improving psychosocial and health outcomes. She has worked in UK and Australian healthcare settings across inpatient and community services in Central Coast LHD and Sydney LHD. Shortlisted for ‘The Pitch’ for her presentation ‘It’s time to talk about Menopause’, she received CEO endorsement to progress research exploring menopausal lived experiences across the SLHD workforce and to co-design staff education resources. She is currently enrolled at The University of Sydney in an MPhil (Research) Degree, supervised by Professor Kirsten Black.
To examine the association between perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms and workforce participation, employee knowledge, access to support, and the influence of the work environment among women employed in an Australian healthcare workforce.
A cross sectional online survey was distributed to all female employees of Sydney Local Health District. Survey items included age, role, educational level, menopausal status, symptom burden, treatments used, sick leave utilisation, menopause knowledge and access to support. Descriptive analyses were performed, with comparisons made to a large national survey of working women conducted in 2024.
A total of 1,073 responses were analysed (mean age 50 years), predominantly from nursing, allied health, and administrative staff. Most respondents identified as perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Two thirds reported statistically significant impairment in work performance compared with national data. Common symptoms included sleep disturbance, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Only 25% reported using menopausal hormone therapy. Limited menopause knowledge, perceived ageism and inflexible work practices emerged as key barriers to workforce participation.
Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms adversely affect workforce participation among healthcare employees. Targeted education, supportive leadership, and co designed, evidence based workplace interventions may reduce stigma, improve wellbeing, and support retention and sustainability of experienced women within the healthcare workforce.