New Manulife report offers strategies for employers to support women through key health challenges
Manulife Canada has published a new report addressing significant health challenges for women in the workplace.
Developed in partnership with Cleveland Clinic Canada and CAMH’s womenmind initiative, the report draws on aggregate claims data from Manulife Group Benefits.
It outlines how menopause, infertility, and postpartum mental health issues affect working women and offers practical ways for employers to provide support.
Drawing on expertise from Cleveland Clinic Canada and CAMH, the report offers data-driven insights and recommendations to enhance workplace well-being for women.
The report indicates a notable rise in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usage, which increased by 20.7 percent among women aged 45 to 65 between 2020 and 2023.
Menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, fatigue, memory loss, and depression, are reported to impact the work life of 59 percent of women aged 45 to 55.
According to Canadian Menopause Foundation data, 10 percent of women in Canada leave their jobs due to uncontrolled menopause symptoms.
Despite the severity of these symptoms, HRT remains underutilized; only 13 percent of Canadian women between 45 and 65 use HRT, partially due to persistent misconceptions about its safety.
The report highlights the potential for increased education among healthcare professionals and employers to improve women’s access to HRT and other effective treatments.
The report also suggests employers can support women experiencing menopausal symptoms by expanding drug coverage, allowing flexible work options, and encouraging open discussions about menopause.
By adopting these strategies, employers could reduce absenteeism, foster well-being, and increase retention among female employees.
Manulife Canada’s assistant vice-president, Jenn Foubert, highlights the importance of inclusive workplace benefits, stating, “Manulife recognizes that supporting women's health – whether related to menopause, fertility, or postpartum mental health – is essential for fostering a productive and inclusive workforce.”
She adds that comprehensive benefits and flexibility can significantly help women thrive both personally and professionally.
The report also explores the mental health impact of infertility. It estimates that one in six Canadians face infertility challenges, yet only 10 percent of Manulife Group Benefits plan members have access to fertility treatment coverage.
Fertility drug usage has risen by 25.7 percent since the pandemic, suggesting a need for greater support for those pursuing family-building options. By offering comprehensive fertility benefits, employers could help reduce both financial and emotional stress for employees experiencing infertility.
Addressing postpartum mental health is another focus of the report, which notes that 15.1 percent of new mothers have submitted mental health claims within six months postpartum, with 42 percent doing so for the first time.
The report encourages employers to expand mental health support and postpartum benefits to help ease the transition back to work for new mothers.
CAMH Senior Scientist Liisa Galea stresses the need for mental health support for women during key life transitions, stating, “Supporting women's mental health during key life transitions, such as postpartum and menopause, is critical and too often overlooked.”
She notes that a comprehensive approach from employers is vital in creating a healthy, inclusive workplace.
