October is Menopause Awareness Month, with World Menopause Day on 18 October. Two very different campaigns from Aviva and Age UK offer a timely reminder that raising awareness is important – but finding accessible, engaging ways to get people talking about menopause is also valuable.
Aviva puts menopause on the board with Monopoly
How do you get people talking about a subject that can still feel uncomfortable in the workplace? Aviva has teamed up with Hasbro and Channel 4 to try something different: Menopause Monopoly, the first part of its No Time to Pause campaign.
The campaign uses the familiar board game to shine a light on the often-overlooked impact of menopause, challenging perceptions and encouraging more open conversations. The accompanying film is available on YouTube.
The approach is backed by research from Aviva suggesting that workplace menopause support matters to both employees and prospective recruits. Its latest findings indicate that 67% of perimenopausal women are more likely to choose an employer that openly provides information and support on women’s health and menopause, while 75% are more likely to trust one that does.
The research also highlights the potential consequences of inadequate support: 47% of respondents said menopause symptoms had affected their ability to work, while 37% worried they could lead them to leave the workplace earlier than planned.
At Aviva, the campaign sits alongside practical support for colleagues, including access to menopause specialists through MyAviva Wellbeing, employee support networks, workplace adjustment passports and menopause training.
The message for employers is clear: awareness campaigns can open the door, but employees also need to know where to turn for help and what support is available.
Age UK brings menopause into the wider conversation
Meanwhile, Age UK used World Menopause Day to highlight the importance of understanding menopause and knowing how to support yourself and others through its varied symptoms.
It may seem an unexpected subject for a charity best known for its work with older people, but it makes sense. Menopause affects people in different ways, and its impact can extend well beyond the years when symptoms first appear. Raising awareness across generations can help challenge assumptions and encourage more informed, supportive conversations – at home, in communities and at work.
For employers, this wider perspective matters. Menopause should not be treated as an isolated HR issue or a conversation exclusively for women experiencing symptoms. Colleagues, partners and managers all have a part to play in creating environments where people feel able to talk openly and seek support without embarrassment.
Age UK’s contribution also reinforces the value of making reliable information and advice accessible to people who might not otherwise seek it out.
From awareness to action
Both campaigns demonstrate how different approaches can help make menopause easier to discuss. Aviva uses humour and a recognisable game to challenge perceptions, while Age UK brings the subject into a broader conversation about understanding and support.
Neither approach replaces the need for practical workplace measures. But both can help break down the silence that still surrounds menopause – an important first step towards workplaces where people feel understood, supported and able to thrive throughout their working lives.
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