Claire Loftus said Irish workplaces needed to “catch up” and protect senior female staff.
Ms Loftus, who was the DPP from 2011 to 2021, said: “Women of menopausal age are typically highly able and experienced, whatever field they work in. Employers depend on them to ensure continuity and also to develop newer staff.
“Any scenario where such enormous assets are at risk, as the data shows, of exiting the workforce or curtailing their hours, purely because of menopause symptoms, is potentially damaging to an organisation and to business.”
Last year, the Irish Independent highlighted that four women out of five have menopause symptoms that affect their work performance.
Business law firm Mason Hayes and Curran announced at the time it had introduced a comprehensive menopause policy, aimed at supporting employees navigating the challenges associated with symptoms.
The firm noted that 63pc of its staff are female, thus it was important to cater for workers who will be impacted at some point.
In March, Garda HR managers said they’d be asking staff for suggestions about supports for senior female employees with symptoms.
The Force said it was working to become a more menopause-friendly employer.
Ms Loftus said businesses would be affected if senior women felt forced to leave employment or cut their hours due to symptoms.
“It has been my experience that any initiatives such as wellness policies or job sharing, fully implemented by employers, are repaid tenfold by the increase in the loyalty and job satisfaction of their team,” she added.
Ms Loftus will deliver a keynote address on Thursday at the Menopause Workplace Excellence Awards in Dublin.
The event recognises businesses supporting female employees experiencing symptoms including anxiety, depression, extreme fatigue and brain fog.
There will be a move to recognise men’s contribution at the event, with a Male Allyship Award at the ceremony in Dublin’s Royal College of Physicians.
Ms Loftus welcomed the rolling out of free HRT for women in the Budget as a “major advance in recognising this important women’s health issue”.
She added: “I commend the Menopause Hub, which has been campaigning for measures like these.”
The awards, sponsored by Irish Life Health and Astellas Pharma, are organised by The Menopause Hub Academy and Great Place to Work.
Loretta Dignam, CEO of the Menopause Hub Academy, said the awards were expanding as improved supports for women were rolled out by more companies.
Ms Dignam said: “Make no mistake, symptoms can be devastating and if left untreated, can destroy careers, relationships and families. Workplaces are finally beginning to understand the vital role that women play in their organisations and how important it is to support them as they journey through menopause, often with symptoms so severe that they consider leaving careers they love.”
She added that she was “delighted” with the addition of the level of entries for the Male Allyship Award.
