More must be done to support women with menopause symptoms, MPs say

Thursday July 28th 2022

Lack of employer support for women with menopausal symptoms is pushing them out of the workplace, causing the UK economy to “haemorrhage talent”, MPs say today.

A report published by the cross-party House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee calls on the Government to amend the Equality Act to introduce menopause as a protected characteristic, and to include a duty for employers to provide reasonable adjustments for menopausal employees.

The MPs also urge the Government to remove dual prescription charges for oestrogen and progesterone as part of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) nationwide, replacing it with a single charge for all women.

The report says there are 4.5 million women aged 50-64 in employment, but women experiencing at least one problematic menopausal symptom are 43% more likely to have left their jobs by the age of 55 than those experiencing no severe symptoms.

Appointing a Menopause Ambassador, who would draw up policies to support individuals and employers, could help to reduce the number of women who are forced to leave the workplace.

The report highlights the significant barriers women face to obtain an initial diagnosis of menopause or perimenopause, with MPs saying the postcode lottery access to specialist care is “unacceptable”.

The Committee commissioned a survey of more than 2000 women and it found 67% reported “a loss of confidence” because of menopausal symptoms, while 70% reported “increased stress”.

However, only 12% of respondents sought any workplace adjustments, with one in four saying they did not ask for adjustments because they were worried about their employers' reaction.

The Committee said the government must launch a consultation no later than the end of 2022, exploring how to introduce menopause as a protected characteristic, as it does with pregnancy or maternity.

It also called for the government to enact immediately Section 14 of the Equality Act, which would allow claims based on combined discrimination, for example sex and age, and to launch a visible public health campaign encompassing the symptoms of the menopause, its impact, and how to seek treatment and support at work.

It also recommended the launch of a pilot menopause leave policy within a public sector employer, with and evaluation, including proposals for further rollout, to be published within 12 months of the scheme's start.

Caroline Nokes MP, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, said: “Menopause is inevitable. The steady haemorrhage of talented women from our workforce, however, is not. Stigma, shame and dismissive cultures can, and must, be dismantled.

“It is imperative that we build workplaces- and a society- which not only supports those going through the menopause, but encourages some of the most experienced and skilled workers in our economy to thrive.

“The omission of menopause as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act is no longer tenable, given that 51% of the population will experience menopause. We were shocked to hear that many women have to demonstrate their menopausal symptoms amount to a disability, to get redress. Our Committee is calling on the Government to make menopause a protected characteristic in its own right.

“We must facilitate a healthcare system which recognises and treats menopause symptoms. Too many women are dismissed when coming forward with symptoms and too many women are unable to access the care and medication they need.

“It is easily within the Government's power to remove the financial and regional barriers to doing so. The inclusion of menopause as a priority area in the newly published Women’s Health Strategy is very welcome. But we must go further and faster. Menopausal women have been mocked and maligned for too long. It is time that the Government seizes the opportunity to enact change. It is time to support, and celebrate, these women.”

Tags: Elderly Health | UK News | Women's Health & Gynaecology

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