Issue Employer benefit design covers family formation but skips midlife transition

Summary

GWI's Workplace Wellbeing Initiative identifies a structural gap in how employers design benefits for women. Over the last two decades, organisations have built policies for family formation, including maternity leave, fertility coverage, adoption benefits and inclusive family-building support. Midlife, however, has remained the missing chapter in this coverage. Few organisations currently have a formal menopause policy, even though demand from employees is growing quickly. The Initiative argues that this gap matters because many women going through menopause are in their prime earning and leadership years. It urges employers to close the gap through policy, flexibility, manager training, workplace adjustments and peer support.