Leisa Heff

Do you slip out the door when you have to take your child to sports training?

When start late as you went to school assembly as you are a proud parent watching your child receive an award, but you don't share where you have been with your colleagues?

Now is the time to PARENT OUT LOUD!

Be proud of being a parent, share with others in your workplace because you have to duck away or start late.

Sometimes it is easier said than down, especially in the winter months when your little ones are constantly sick from day care. The sideways looks from colleagues who perceive you're not getting your work completed, yet they don't know you are looking after your beloved family whilst staying up to the small hours so you can achieve your outcomes. Or are there any looks at all? OR is it just your perception as you feel the guilt of leaving to look after your sick child.

To be able to parent out loud, first you have to feel safe to be out loud. How do we make it easier to PARENT OUT LOUD?

The first step is to start talking our lives, be proud, and this goes for those that don't have children.

How does your organisation support working parents?

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Sorry team take a wide berth today .............. not even the HRT is helping haha jokes, but not joking .........

I still get a couple of down days each month, as my body phantom cycles. These are nothing like what I used to feel when I was in my down days with Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Before I started chemical menopause I had menstruation challenges in the form of PMDD. This effected every area of my life...... mainly my mental health....... as I wouldn't let anyone else see how it was effecting me.

As the awareness of PMDD increased I started to feel more seen and understood what was happening to me and I wasn't silently going crazy.

Since going into chemical menopause (3rd time lucky) I have experienced so many emotions - the main one I'll touch on today is 'GUILT'.

Guilt of all the experiences I had missed out on in the last 10 years. I cried. I mourned all the opportunities I had missed - I was there - however I was numb and didn't feel the experiences.

Now, I relish the experience of feeling life. No more hiding.

Again, this is why I take the opportunity to talk about the 3 BIG M's - MENSTRUATION, MATRESCENCE and MENOPAUSE. In the hope it helps others in their journey 🥰.

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Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed women retired an average 7.4 years earlier than men and based on the average income for women aged 45-54. This equated to a loss of salary and super of more than $577,512.

Wow!!!! 😱

Further, according to a new Mayo Clinic study, menopause costs American women an estimated $1.8 billion in lost working time per year.

This is CRAZY!!! 🤯

MNSBC article - 'How ignoring menopause in the workplace widens the equity gap', highlights the economic loss due to menopause gets even worse ........ The North American Menopause Society estimates that 1.1 billion women will have experienced menopause by 2025.

A 2019 study in the U.K. found that almost 900,000 women left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms. And a 2020 study with over 3,000 women reported that even women who reported just one disruptive menopausal symptom were 43 percent more likely to have left their jobs by the age of 55!!!!!

AHHHHH - This leads to Women in their 40s and 50s+ when they are some of the most experienced managers, exiting the workforce - THIS IS KNOWLEDGE WALKING OUT THE DOOR!!! 🚪🏃‍♀️

Overlooking women needs may come at a significant cost – TO EVERYONE! 🎊

Not only is the cost to replace these skilled employees is high 🤑 — ranging from 50 percent to double the individual employee’s salary. It is the ‘culture’, you are showing up and coming employees, on how they will be treated as they progress through their careers; not to mention, the critical mentorship opportunities that are missed.

This is only related to menopause, and there have been so many other women who have already exited the workforce prior to this stage in their life, from MENSTRUATION and MATRESCENCE challenges and lack of workplace support.

We need to create change!!! Creating workplace environments that support lifelong needs of all WOMEN, helps us all.

If you are an Employer who want to de-stigmatize MENOPAUSE, MENSTRUATION, and MATRESCENCE in the workplace, let’s work together to create an environment where everyone thrives.

Let this be your COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE in such a tight labour market.

Let's make your organisation, an EMPLOYER OF CHOICE 💥.

Let's chat - email Leisa Heff now👇,

[email protected]

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Does Your Workplace support the WELLBEING OF WOMEN?

If so, do the FEMALE EMPLOYEES know you do this?

Do your wider employee group, especially leadership roles understand MENSTRUATION, MATRESCENCE or MENOPAUSE and how they can impact your working population?

What does a committed and supportive workplace look like.....

- your organisation is a supportive and understanding place for employees going through the any MENSTRUATION, MATRESCENCE or MENOPAUSE (the 3 Big M's) related challenges.

It is more than a policy......... it is a lived cultural shift, achieved through an EDUCATION APPROACH.

MENSTRUATION, MATRESCENCE and MENOPAUSE challenges is far reaching and impacts more than those who are directly moving through their journey.

It could be a partner going through the stresses of one of the 3 Big M's at home, or an employee in the office.

Need some assistance to become an EMPLOYER Of CHOICE,

Lets chat - contact Leisa Heff at

[email protected]

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Don't feel 'good enough' to do your job any more?🥺

Feeling like you're not good enough to do your job can be tough, but you're not alone. As WORKING MOTHERS, we often face this challenge due to the added pressures and responsibilities of balancing work and family.

It's called IMPOSTER SYNDROME and it affects many of us. But remember, you are where you are for a reason and YOU DESERVE to be there!

It's important to recognise your accomplishments 🤩 and strengths 💪 and not let negative self-talk bring you down. Take the time to remind yourself of all that you have achieved 🥳🫵 and how capable you truly are 🥰.

And if you need support, don't hesitate to reach out to your network or a mentor for guidance and encouragement.

Let's break the stigma around imposter syndrome and support each other as working mothers 🔥✨.