Menopause Support in Workplaces Becomes Legal Right 

• Content
• Workplace & Wellbeing
• Menopause Support in Workplaces Becomes Legal Right 

27 February 2024

New guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission means that companies must provide reasonable workplace adjustments if menopause symptoms have a substantial effect on employees.

The guidance clarifies legal obligations to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace for those suffering from severe impacts of menopausal symptoms. This can include muscular aches, extreme fatigue, skin problems, migraines, poor concentration, anxiety and changes in mental health.

Research from The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Fawcett Society suggests that one in ten women surveyed who have worked during the menopause have left their jobs due to symptoms.

People of menopausal age are the fastest-growing demographic of the UK workforce. Menopause can also affect transgender people. Transgender men may still experience menopause, and trans women undertaking hormone therapy may also experience "pseudo" menopausal symptoms.

Menopause usually starts between the ages of 45-55 and lasts for around four years, but there are many exceptions to the onset age and length of symptoms. 

What Kind of Workplace Adjustments Might a Menopausal Employee Ask for?

Design consultancy Motionspot asked 2,000 people who experience menstruation or menopause about the design of their workplace. 

48 per cent said they didn’t have access to the feature they identify as most useful to manage their pain and discomfort at work. These are a place to lie down (78 per cent), a hot bath and shower (both 66 per cent), and a dark or dimly lit space (60 per cent).

To learn more about the guidance, resources and video explainers can be found on the EHRC website.

Picture: a photograph showing three people standing in front of a brick wall. They are all wearing business wear and holding bags. The people can only ben seen from the neck down. Image Credit: Pexels

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 27 February 2024

Share

Related Articles