New Menopause Report published by the cross-party House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee

Employers' lack of support for menopausal symptoms is pushing 'highly skilled and experienced women out of work" - say MPs in a report published today. https://bit.ly/3cZ5UjW

The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee led is calling for the UK Parliament to introduce Menopause as a protected characteristic, and to include a duty for employers to provide reasonable adjustments for menopausal employees, stating that "stigma, a lack of support, and discrimination play key roles in forcing menopausal employees out of the workplace"

At Talking Menopause, having worked in this area for around 5 years, we contributed to the enquiry and readily welcome this call for more support for menopausal employees in the workplace, having asked for menopause to become a protected characteristic.

Our own client surveys echo the challenges highlighted which include:

-Ensuring workplace reasonable adjustments are considered & offered
-Reducing the number of women leaving work due to the menopause
-Improved initial diagnosis of (peri)menopause & reduction of postcode lottery to access appropriate medical care/treatment

As Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes 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.”

Talking Menopause are proud to continue to work with many fantastic organisations taking the important, necessary steps to support their #perimenopausal and #menopausal colleagues.