Denise of Talking 12 on Why Menopause Support Is More Than a Policy
After more than 30 years in HR, including at board level, Denise knows how much organisations depend on their people. When she experienced menopause herself in a senior role, she found little understanding or support in the workplace, and decided to do something about it.
That experience became Talking 12, which brings together experts to help employers understand menopause and offer meaningful, long-term support rather than a tick-box exercise. Her belief is simple: no woman should have to choose between her health and her career.
We spoke with Denise about why she started Talking 12, what employers most often get wrong about menopause at work, and what she would tell women thinking about starting their own business.
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Q: What made you start Talking 12, after a career in HR and employment law?
After more than 30 years working in HR, including at board level, I’ve seen first-hand how much organisations depend on their people. But when I experienced the effects of menopause myself, while working in a senior role, I realised just how little understanding and support there was in the workplace.
I remember crying in front of my CEO, whose reaction was unfortunately far from supportive - I didn’t even realise I was going through perimenopause at the time, which made the whole experience even more confusing. After I came through the other side, with the help of some amazing medical professionals, I realised that I wanted to use my personal experience and HR background to make a difference.
Talking 12 was born from this, and my belief that no woman should feel she has to choose between her health and her career (12 has special significance as menopause is defined as twelve consecutive months without a menstrual period, and it is also symbolic of transition, new cycles and change. And on a personal note, my birthday is on 12th April, so it was always meant to be!). I wanted to bring together experts who could help employers truly understand menopause and provide meaningful, long-term support for their people – not just another tick-box exercise. Above all, I wanted to make these conversations accessible, engaging and informative, and even add a bit of light-hearted humour!
Q: What do employers most often get wrong about menopause at work?
Menopause is being talked about much more openly now, which is fantastic, but many employers still underestimate its impact on working life, and how differently it affects each individual. Menopause isn’t just about the occasional hot flush. Symptoms can include fatigue, anxiety, low mood, aches and pains, insomnia, brain fog, and a loss of confidence, all of which can have a significant impact.
Many employers think that once they have a policy in place, their job is done. While a policy is a good starting point, it’s not enough on its own. Employees need managers who are confident having sensitive conversations, asking the right questions, listening without judgement and identifying appropriate adjustments. They don’t need to be a medical expert, diagnose symptoms or have all the answers; they simply need to be able to have open conversations to understand each individual’s experience and how they can best support them at work.
There’s also a strong business case for getting this right. When experienced women feel unsupported, employers risk losing valuable talent, knowledge and leadership. And with menopause-related employment tribunal cases having tripled since 2022, there are real legal and reputational risks to consider too. Ultimately, it’s about turning awareness into understanding and action, and making sure support is part of the everyday culture, rather than just written in a policy.
Q: What’s next for Talking 12, and what would you tell women thinking about starting their own business?
For Talking 12, what’s next is hopefully reaching more organisations and expanding our work into other areas of health and wellbeing. By bringing together expertise in HR, coaching, nutrition and medical care, we can help organisations take a more holistic approach not just towards menopause but also other health issues, such as Andropause and Mental Health. We want to help create genuinely supportive workplaces, while helping employers manage risk and retain valuable talent.
For women thinking about starting their own business, I’d say believe in the value of your experience and don’t underestimate what you have to offer. There will inevitably be times when things don’t go to plan, so it’s important to hold on to that belief in yourself. Surround yourself with people whose skills complement your own and network like crazy – you never know where a conversation or connection might lead!
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