Ageism, Menopause, and Workplace Bias @50plus
Introduction Welcome to my world—where science meets humour, chaos meets structure, and experience meets an insatiable curiosity for what’s next. I’m Dr. Heike Franz: nutritionist, business whiz, and lifelong learner with two doctorates, an MBA, and an unofficial degree in surviving corporate nonsense. I’ve managed multibllion-dollar projects, untangled financial disasters (yes, including the infamous shoebox accounting system in Beijing), and spent years helping women 50+ regain their health, confidence, and sanity. I’ve lived through the reality of menopause, debunked more nutrition myths than I can count, and embraced technology, including AI, as a way to work smarter, not harder. Oh, and did I mention I share my home with a magnificent Great Dane who believes he owns my office? And who is much smarter than some CEOs I have met. So, if you’re here because: ✔ You’re fed up with being underestimated at work, but don’t have the energy to discuss with supervisors, who are younger than your kids..✔ You’re navigating the delightful (cough) surprises of menopause while still trying to keep up with a fast-paced workplace.✔ You’re tired of 30-year-olds explaining technology to you as if you were raised by candlelight. Then, my friend, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it. But before we dive in, I must admit that my body is showing signs of wear and tear. I have to pay more attention, eat well (yes, my pet peeve), get rest and enough sleep. I like to think of myself as a classic car – needing a bit more maintenance, the finest fuel, plenty of polish, and a lot of TLC to shine like a true vintage gem! Although nutrition, exercise and stress management are not the focus of this article, I invite you to check out my courses. Your physical and mental well-being is the foundation for the next exciting phase in your life. Yes, Ageism Exists – But So Do You Let’s address the elephant in the boardroom: Ageism is real. It lurks in hiring decisions, offhand remarks about “fresh energy,” and the quiet assumption that we can’t possibly get new technologies. It is common practise to not even read your application, when you are above a certain age. The algorithm doesn’t recognize that you might tick each and every box, overfulfill requirements and are ready to rock ’n roll for the next decade. What these assumptions fail to acknowledge is that we are the women who built businesses, led teams, and survived workplaces before “wellness initiatives” and bean bag chairs became a thing. Our strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and sheer grit are irreplaceable. 💡 Power move: Flip the script. The next time someone praises a “young, fresh perspective,” respond with, “Absolutely! And when you pair that with my decades of experience, you’ve got an unbeatable team.” Menopause at Work: It’s Not a Dirty Word Ah, menopause. That delightful phase where your body decides to keep things exciting – one minute you’re freezing, the next you’re melting like a human candle. And let’s not forget the brain fog that turns the word spreadsheet into a game of mental hide-and-seek. Yet, in most workplaces, menopause is still a taboo topic. If men had hot flashes, we’d have corporate-funded “Cooling Stations” and mandatory siestas. Since that’s not the case, it’s up to us to normalize the conversation. I’m sure other cultures might see things differently. During my time in Beijing, I had the pleasure of working with Helena, a highly qualified Chinese woman who was going through menopause at that time. Picture this: in the middle of a presentation to Senior Executives, Helena’s face turned as red as a traffic light – she was having a hot flash. We were already over our time, so I suggested a quick break to let her cool off. But Helena, ever the trooper, declared, “Nope, I’m taking questions now. And as you can see, gentlemen, I’m ready to spit fire. So don’t even think about feeding me any nonsense!” Yes, during menopause, our hormones go through quite the transformation, with estrogen – the hormone that turns us into the ultimate caregivers—taking a nosedive. While younger women might be busy playing “office mom,” looking out for everyone’s wellbeing, those of us in menopause are happily handing over the apron. So gentlemen, it’s time to step up and master the art of making your own coffee. Welcome to adulthood! 💡 Power move: If someone comments on your personal desk fan running in the middle of winter, simply say, “Oh, that’s my advanced climate control system.” Own it, with zero shame. And make sure you pay attention to your body. Get rest, get enough sleep and forget that nonsense of working 18 hour-days. AI: Your New Best Friend (No, Really, It’s Not That Scary) Some people assume we don’t do technology. The truth? We just don’t waste time downloading every app a 25-year-old raves about on TikTok. We embrace tools that actually make life easier – like AI. I am using AI extensively and would love to delegate some tasks completely – but we are not yet there. AI is doing a good job, most of the time (I am ALWAYS checking whether he/she/it is again hallucinating, as if on magic mushrooms), but I am adding the cherry on top of the cake. Imagine: 💡 Power move: Next time a younger colleague offers to “walk you through” the latest tech update, say, “Actually, I was just reading about AI-driven productivity tools – what’s your take on integrating machine learning into workflow automation?” Then enjoy watching them scramble. And if you need assistance or would like to learn more about the tools I am using, just let me know. Right now, I am teaching offline courses to local companies. This can easily be brought online. Confidence is Contagious – Start Spreading It A funny thing happens when you walk into a room with confidence – people assume you know what you’re doing. Which, of course, you do. You know your qualifications,…