Employers urged to boost psychological safety and menopause support

Organizational development expert Daniela Aneva argues that psychological safety is a systemic condition that must travel across team boundaries, noting that “the shared belief that a team is safe for interpersonal risk‑taking is the single strongest predictor of team learning and performance.” She highlights how intimidation in cross‑functional meetings can erode safety that was built within a team, emphasizing the need for systemic approaches rather than isolated managerial actions.

At the 2026 Disability Management Employer Coalition conference, experts stressed the importance of addressing menopause as a workplace issue. “People experience menopause during their peak leadership and professional years,” said Sarah Egizio of Carrot. Patty Borst of The Partners Group added, “First and foremost, we have to have a culture that fosters safety so that people feel safe to ask for the support they need.” The panel called for manager training, flexible accommodations, and the use of existing benefits, noting that states such as Rhode Island are beginning to require workplace accommodations for menopause.