Transforming Women's Well-Being In The Workplace

An Uncomfortable Conversation with Jill Chmielewski - Recorded March 2022

A wonderful conversation between Karen Kwong (Founder of CWP) with nurse and women's health expert Jill Chmielewski covering everything women related like it's some big secret at the workplace. For example, how many times have you heard the word menopause mentioned in the workplace? Or support for women who are the top of their careers going through this. The stages of a woman's life seem to be completely ignored until recently in the workplace but a lot more needs to be addressed for women to feel supported. 

About Jill 
Jill is a Registered Nurse, Certified Health Coach, Advocate for Aging Women, and Mom of Four who is on a mission to change the way we approach menopause and aging. Jill believes that education is the key to helping women understand their bodies, manage their health, and advocate for themselves as they age. Jill created The Peri to Menopause Roadmap and The Beginner's Guide to Hormone Replacement Therapy to help women navigate the wild ride from perimenopause through menopause and beyond. She recently launched Pausing Together, an online community for women to connect, learn, and open up discussions on topics that affect "PAUSAL" women.

Highlights below: 

3:11-4:39	Women are ‘newer’ to the workplace and things are changing. 
5:20-6:45 Women have to make a lot of tough choices and it is a challenge to meet so many demands
7:02-7:38	Women must support each other
8:20-8:36	You can have it all but it’s not smooth sailing and you still have to make tough choices.  
14:19 – 15:02	Women can bring their best selves to work but are still being judged even if work is done, because they leave ‘early.’
15:04-16:15	‘Not deemed as valuable’
16:28-17:38	So much pressure and guilt and the body suffers too.  Perception is that they are not contributing
17:53-18:40	During the pandemic there was more ‘flexibility’ but even then there was a requirement for ‘face-time’
21:09-22:00	Guilt of being pulled in different directions
22:16-24:11	Employees are all unique – ask and see where people are struggling.  
26:30-27:22	Humanise work.  Think creatively about how to approach work. 
28:50-31:54	Menopause – women at height of career at the same time – need understanding from employers 
32:00-32:20	When you feel supported you see the change in women
33:00-33:44	Women’s bodies are still a mystery – how’s that when they are half the population?
33:49-35:48	Perception women are old and dried up.  They have so much to offer!
37:20-39:07	Young women prefer speaking to experienced women. 
40:15-41:18	High % of women will quit jobs because menopause is so ‘tumultuous.’
41:34-43:13	Women may call in sick but will not say why. 
45:20-46:14	Celebrate aging woman – from top down.  
50:00-50:32	Conversations can lead to major breakthroughs
51:20-52:26	Summary – not use should, a lot of guilt.  Education needed.  Have conversations and listen.  Create an environment to support otherwise it will lead to a huge loss.

Uncomfortable Conversation Series -  With Jill Chmielewski

Please note I will no longer be using this for meditations. Please contact me for links.

Davina Ho