Back in July 2022, the women and equalities Committee of the House of Commons published a report that highlighted how the current law did not protect working women with menopausal issues, with many experienced and talented women at the peak of their careers having to leave their employment this impacting on the UK economy. As a result they made a number of recommendations to support working women with menopausal issues.

Menopause and perimenopause can cause symptoms like:

• Anxiety
• Sleeping issues
• Mood swings
• Problems with memory or concentration
• Hot flushes
• Headaches or migraines
• Muscle aches
• Joint pains
• Irregular periods

These symptoms can last several months or years or change over time and can have a significant impact on women’s personal lives, their relationships and work.

According to a previous British Menopause Society survey, 45% of women indicated they felt their menopause symptoms had a negative impact on their work.

What should employers do?

Various surveys suggest that menopause is a key workplace issue. Employers must ensure that they address matters in a fair and reasonable manner in particular to have in place a menopause policy that makes clear how women workers are supported by their employer on such matters. However, leave for menopause is not a legal requirement and the Government have rejected the pilot menopause leave arrangements due to the discrimination against both men and women suffering from long-term medical conditions.

For more advice and to let us know your thoughts on this, contact us today…admin@busybeerecruitment.co.uk / 01353880253