Menopause in the workplace is once again in the news as Labour has announced the support it would require employers to provide should it win the next general election.
According to a BBC article, employers would be required to complete menopause action plans which might include paid time off, changes to uniform and temperature- controlled areas to help those experiencing menopausal symptoms.
In an apparent attempt to give teeth to the plans, employers would have to submit their action plans to the Government and Equalities Office via the portal currently used for submitting gender pay gap information.
In July 2022, the Women and Equalities Committee (“the Committee”) made a number of recommendations about menopause in its Menopause and the workplace First Report.
The current government has rejected the Committee’s proposals to make menopause a protected characteristic, to have model menopause policies and to have a trial of “menopause leave”.
The government has, however, agreed in principle to the Committee’s recommendation that it should appoint a Menopause Employment Champion while also accepting in part the Committee’s recommendation that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) should issue guidance on the legal considerations when supporting menopausal employees.
Irrespective of the current or potential future government’s position on supporting employees experiencing menopause, we would encourage employers to consider what more they can be doing in their workplace to provide support now.
This could include raising awareness, making adjustments, providing additional support, reviewing existing policies and procedures, providing training to managers and other practical steps such as those set out in our blog.
In the current economic climate, there is a clear business case for investing in retaining menopausal employees, rather than risk losing significant talent (10% of women according to a survey by the Fawcett Society and Channel 4).
For more information on menopause in the workplace and what employers can do to support their people, take a listen to our podcasts on The Challenge of Menopause in the Workplace (part one) and Breaking the taboo of Menopause in the Workplace (part two).
Should your organisation require support and advice in relation to menopause in the workplace or any other aspect of reproductive health in the workplace, please do get in touch with our experienced Reproductive Health team, who will be able to assist.
Hybrid Panel Event | Reproductive Health in the Workplace
We’ll be covering these topics and much more in our Panel event on Reproductive Health on Thursday 29 June 2023.
This is a hybrid event, being held in person at our Manchester Offices and via Teams for those who cannot attend in person.
It will feature a panel of knowledgeable and experienced organisations, including members of our very own Reproductive Health team.
To find out more details and to secure your place at our upcoming panel event, please click here to register now.
