The Women and Equalities Committee has called for greater rights and protection for working women going through the menopause.
Women over 50 are currently the fastest growing economically active group of women in the UK, many holding senior roles and bringing years of valuables skills and experience to the workplace. Yet due to a lack of understanding and openness around this issue, many women are being pushed out of work, with knock-on effects on the gender pay gap, pensions gap and the number of women in senior leadership positions.
The Menopause and the Workplace report recommends that menopause be designated as a ‘protected characteristic’ under the Equality Act 2010 (like pregnancy) to give working women more rights and protect them from discrimination in the workplace, placing a duty on employers to provide reasonable adjustments for menopausal employees. The report also calls for the appointment of a Menopause Ambassador to produce menopause policies, encourage good practice and build a supportive culture in collaboration with employers.
Given that 51% of the population will experience the menopause, it is imperative that workplaces support those going through the transition and encourage some of the most experienced and skilled workers in the economy to thrive.
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