Linklaters to train lawyers in menopause awareness

SENIOR lawyers at a top City law firm will take training courses on the menopause in an effort to boost awareness of female health issues.

Linklaters, a member of London’s elite “magic circle” group, said those with management and supervisory responsibilities at the firm will be required to take an online module to “facilitate open discussions” about the menopause and encourage people to share their own experiences.

The firm’s health insurance policy will also be expanded to cover specialist consultations for conditions relating to the menopause and employees will also be given access to Peppy Health, an app that provides online support in the UK.

It comes as companies in the Square Mile attempt to fight off accusations that they have an overly macho culture and are failing to promote women.

Last year, Citigroup, the Wall Street banking giant, introduced miscarriage and menopause leave for its staff in Britain. City law firms are also offering new benefits as they attempt to attract and retain talent amid a period of high turnover.

Fellow magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced in January that it will offer its employees up to $60,000 (£44.500) for fertility treatment, including IVF, sperm and egg freezing and surrogacy.

Jessamy Gallagher, a senior partner at Linklaters who runs the firm’s “age and life” committee, said: “Menopause symptoms can have a detrimental impact on anybody living with them, and their working lives are not exempt from that. It can also indirectly affect anyone, including those supporting a partner or family member living

‘People should not have to navigate the menopause in silence. I hope our policy will encourage discussion’

through the menopause.” Estimates suggest over 13m women in the UK are either menopausal or perimenopausal, with a study last week finding that about one in eight women quit their job because of menopause symptoms.

Around one in four pregnancies in the UK end in miscarriage.

Ms Gallagher added: “People should not have to navigate the menopause in silence. I hope that our policy and enhanced support will encourage open discussion and further strengthen our culture of openness and our commitment to caring for our people at every stage of their lives.”