Webinar Recording: Men and Menopause
Menopause Friendly Australia’s Workplace Series provides practical strategies for changemakers.
Men and Menopause: How Male Leaders Are Shaping Inclusive Workplaces
Menopause Friendly Australia hosted an enlightening event titled “Men and Menopause: How Male Leaders Can Champion the Conversation Around Menopause in Their Workplace.” The session, part of our Workplace Series, featured two inspiring male leaders— Brendon Brodie-Hall, Chief Emergency Officer at St John WA, and Stuart Chesneau, Executive Director of Strategy and Growth at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. They shared their journeys in supporting menopause awareness and fostering inclusive, supportive work environments.
Hosted by our CEO Grace Molloy, the event tackled a traditionally female-associated issue from a broader, more inclusive perspective. Grace opened by emphasising that while menopause is a women’s health issue, it impacts everyone, partners, colleagues, workplaces, and communities. Despite this, many men feel hesitant or underprepared to engage in conversations about menopause, both personally and professionally.
Brendon and Stuart candidly reflected on their own learning journeys. Both men acknowledged limited understanding of menopause until relatively recently, when personal and professional experiences compelled them to learn more. Brendon spoke about supporting his wife through menopause and, at the same time, helping his organisation achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Stuart similarly connected his newfound understanding to his wife’s experience and the implementation of Lifeblood’s “Support the Pause” initiative, a comprehensive internal program that includes educational resources, champions, and open conversations about menopause. Brendon noted the support from Menopause Friendly Australia was invaluable in creating a program that channelled passion into action.
The leaders outlined the practical steps their organisations have taken. At St John WA, internal support networks include 35 menopause champions and regular support group meetings. Brendon noted that initial hesitation gave way to strong organisational support once the topic was formally introduced at the leadership level. Lifeblood’s program features toolkits, conversation guides, podcasts, and almost 80 champions, including several men. Stuart underscored the business rationale, noting that 76% of Lifeblood’s workforce is female, with nearly a third in the menopausal age range.
Both leaders observed that education is a powerful catalyst for empathy and support, not only improving workplace culture but also strengthening relationships at home. They noted that with better understanding, male leaders can shift from feelings of discomfort to meaningful engagement and action. While neither Brendon nor Stuart reported experiencing pushback from colleagues, they agreed that cultural change takes time and must be approached with openness and structure.
Audience questions highlighted broader interest in policies, menstrual health, leave entitlements, and how to address dismissive attitudes. Stuart shared that Lifeblood offers menopause-specific leave and is developing “reset rooms” for those needing time out. Brendon noted that while St John WA hasn’t implemented specific leave entitlements, the organisation is in the early stages of a cultural transformation.
To men wanting to engage in the conversation, both leaders advised starting small: seek out educational resources, engage in discussions with family and colleagues, and be proactive in joining internal support networks. Most importantly, they emphasised that being a menopause champion doesn’t require being an expert, just a willingness to learn, listen, and support.
The event concluded with a clear message: changing the workplace culture around menopause benefits everyone. It creates environments where employees feel understood, valued, and supported, whether they are experiencing menopause firsthand or supporting someone who is.
Menopause is no longer just a women’s issue but many men feel hesitant talking about it, particularly in the workplace. Key to normalising the conversation is including male voices and developing confidence in opening up about what has traditionally been a taboo subject.
Menopause Friendly Australia provides CPD Accredited workplace education for managers. Click here to download our training portfolio.
Listen back to our workplace series webinar as we hear from inspirational male leaders who have championed the conversation about menopause in their workplace.
Learn more about Menopause Friendly Accredited Employers St John WA and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
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