This week, Rathbun Insurance CEO Ben Rathbun and President Laura Stoken traveled to Battle Creek to attend the Michigan Women’s Commission’s statewide listening session, “Menopause: It’s a Movement!” The initiative brings together policy makers, employers, health leaders, and community members to address a major gap in workplace culture and healthcare: menopause support.

The statistics are staggering — women make up 51% of the U.S. population, and more than 75 million women are currently in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause. An additional 6,000 women enter menopause each day. Yet despite these numbers, menopause remains one of the least discussed and least supported transitions in workplace environments.

A recent Mayo Clinic study placed a price tag on this silence: an estimated $1.8 billion per year in lost productivity due to untreated menopausal symptoms and over $24 billion annually in related health care costs. These are not just personal struggles — they are economic and workforce challenges that demand attention.

That’s why Rathbun Insurance is proud to be part of this growing movement. We’ve implemented internal workplace policies designed to support our team through every life stage, including menopause. We know that when workplaces offer compassion, flexibility, and practical resources — everyone benefits.

We applaud the Michigan Women’s Commission for creating space for conversations that matter. At Rathbun Insurance, we’re committed to advancing policies that reflect our core values and ensure that all employees — at every age and every stage — feel supported, seen, and empowered to succeed.

Stay tuned as we continue to advocate for more inclusive and forward-thinking workplace standards across Michigan and beyond.