Menopause and the workplace

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 23 Jul 2021 Closed: 6 Feb 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry examines the extent of discrimination faced by menopausal people in the workplace, and investigates how Government policy and workplace practices can better support those experiencing menopause. A 2019 survey conducted by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that three in five menopausal women- usually aged … Read more
12 Recommendations
1 Conclusion
1 Report
7 Oral sessions
13 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 29 events
5 Jul
2023
Correspondence
20 Jun
2023
Oral evidence
20 Jun
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
23 Mar
2023
Correspondence
22 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
22 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
17 Mar
2023
Correspondence
1 Mar
2023
Correspondence
25 Jan
2023
Correspondence
24 Jan
2023
Report published
3 Nov
2022
Correspondence
20 Oct
2022
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
20 Jun 2023
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Women and Equalities Committee
Helen Tomlinson · The Adecco Group Maria Caulfield MP · Department of Health and Social Care Marian Holliday · Department for Health and Social Care Mims Davies MP · Department for Work and Pensions Natalie Keogh · Department for Work & Pensions
22 Mar 2023
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Women and Equalities Committee
Carol Vorderman · Menopause Mandate Karen Arthur · Menopause Whilst Black Kate Muir Mariella Frostrup · Menopause Mandate
16 Mar 2022
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Menopause and the workplace
Maria Caulfield MP · Department of Health and Social Care Michael Warren · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Paul Scully MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy William Vineall · Department of Health and Social Care
9 Feb 2022
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Menopause and the workplace
Chris Pitt · First Direct Claire McCartney · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Deborah Garlick · Henpicked - Menopause in the Workplace Lynda Bailey Nikki Pound · TUC Sharon Ollivier · South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
19 Jan 2022
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Menopause and the workplace
Adam Pavey · Pannone Corporate Colin Davidson · Discrimination Law Association Marian Bloodworth · Deloitte Legal
8 Dec 2021
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Menopause and the workplace
Amy Bennie · Daisy Network Karen Arthur
17 Nov 2021
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Menopause and the workplace
Dr Heather Currie MBE · British Menopause Society Dr Nighat Arif · NHS and Private Professor Joanna Brewis · The Open University Business School
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Menopause and the Workplace HC 91 28 Jul 2022 13 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
13 results
1 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Menopause and the W…
Menopause still carries significant social and cultural stigma, particularly for certain groups, including LGBT+ people...
Menopause still carries significant social and cultural stigma, particularly for certain groups, including LGBT+ people and young and ethnic minority women. We are encouraged by the recent shift towards talking about menopause more openly, by the inclusion of menopause in … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation in principle, stating that it is developing a communications plan for the introduction of the HRT pre-payment certificate (PPC) and has work underway across government to raise awareness of the menopause.
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2 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Menopause and the W…
GPs will be the first port of call for many women who are experiencing perimenopause...
GPs will be the first port of call for many women who are experiencing perimenopause or menopause. It is vital that women can trust their GPs and that GPs feel confident and well-equipped in diagnosing a condition that affects half … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees in part, stating that healthcare professionals should be well informed on menopause, and details existing national frameworks and planned resources to support training and awareness, including an optimal pathway for patients and non-mandatory webinars.
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3 Recommendation Deferred
First Report - Menopause and the W…
It is unacceptable that there are parts of the country where women cannot access the...
It is unacceptable that there are parts of the country where women cannot access the specialist menopause services they need. By 2024, there should be a menopause specialist or specialist service in every Clinical Commissioning Group area. The Menopause Taskforce, … Read more
Government Response
The government does not accept the recommendation to have a menopause specialist or specialist service in every Clinical Commissioning Group area by 2024, stating that it is not within the remit of central government to commission specialist health services and that Integrated Care Boards are responsible for commissioning services to meet local health needs.
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4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Menopause and the W…
We are extremely disappointed that despite a clear Government commitment on a single-cost, annual pre-payment...
We are extremely disappointed that despite a clear Government commitment on a single-cost, annual pre-payment certificate for HRT, almost nine months later that commitment has not been realised. Progress has been further derailed by supply issues. We welcome the Health … Read more
Government Response
The government is committed to reducing the cost of HRT prescriptions and will introduce a bespoke pre-payment certificate (PPC) for HRT medicines from April 2023, and will provide comprehensive material for women, prescribers and pharmacists, but has no plans to encourage GPs to issue 12-month prescriptions.
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5 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Menopause and the W…
We recommend that the Government commits to removing dual prescription charges for oestrogen and progesterone,...
We recommend that the Government commits to removing dual prescription charges for oestrogen and progesterone, replacing it with a single charge for all women. We also recommend that the Government works with the NHS and the ‘HRT tsar’ to develop … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts in part, committing to the bespoke HRT PPC which will reduce annual prescription charges, but states it has no plans to further reduce HRT prescription charges. It will continue to assess NHS formularies, maintain dialogue with industry, and improve access to data on prescriptions.
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6 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Menopause and the W…
Menopause is a workplace issue.
Menopause is a workplace issue. There is a legal, economic, and social imperative to address the needs of menopausal employees. We are not persuaded that a legal requirement for every workplace to have a menopause policy would embed meaningful change. … Read more
Government Response
While supporting the ambition, the government does not believe a model menopause policy is necessary at this moment and will focus on highlighting and sharing best practice instead, due to much work already being underway.
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7 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Menopause and the W…
The Government has a key strategic role in helping businesses and should lead the way...
The Government has a key strategic role in helping businesses and should lead the way in developing and disseminating good practice. The Government should appoint a Menopause Ambassador to work with stakeholders from business (including small to medium enterprises), unions, … Read more
Government Response
The government will appoint a Menopause Employment Champion, reporting to DWP Ministers, to drive forward work with employers and spearhead a collaborative employer-led campaign, and will consider having a six-monthly report on progress made by business after the appointment has been made and terms of engagement agreed.
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8 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Menopause and the W…
We recommend that the Government, in consultation with the Menopause Ambassador, produces model menopause policies...
We recommend that the Government, in consultation with the Menopause Ambassador, produces model menopause policies to assist employers. The model policies should cover, as a minimum: how to request reasonable adjustments and other support; advice on flexible working; sick leave … Read more
Government Response
The government does not accept the recommendation to produce model menopause policies to assist employers, stating they want to focus on highlighting and sharing best practice, which will avoid risk of duplication of effort.
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9 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Menopause and the W…
Menopause symptoms can have a significant and sometimes debilitating impact on women at work.
Menopause symptoms can have a significant and sometimes debilitating impact on women at work. The Government should work with a large public sector employer 48 Menopause and the workplace with a strong public profile to develop and pilot a specific … Read more
Government Response
The government does not accept the recommendation to develop and pilot a specific ‘menopause leave’ policy, stating they are focusing on developing and promoting good practice and adoption across the Civil Service and NHS instead.
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10 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Menopause and the W…
We are disappointed that the long-promised Employment Bill has still not materialised.
We are disappointed that the long-promised Employment Bill has still not materialised. The Government should bring forward legislation before the end of the current Parliament to make the right to request flexible working a day-one right for all employees. It … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation to make flexible working a ‘day one’ right, committing to changes through regulations and supporting the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill to deliver these changes, including allowing two statutory requests in a 12-month period and reducing administration time.
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11 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Menopause and the W…
Neither the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) nor the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)...
Neither the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) nor the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provides any advice on menopause on its website. This should be rectified. The HSE and EHRC should publish guidance on the legal considerations when supporting … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts in part, stating the HSE will develop strengthened guidance that will give a set of clear and simple ‘principles’ that employers would be expected to apply, to support disabled people and those with long term health conditions in the work environment, which could also apply where workers are experiencing symptoms such as those that occur in the menopause. The Government will share the Committee’s recommendation with the EHRC, but action by the commission is not guaranteed.
Government Equalities Office
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12 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Menopause and the W…
The current law does not serve or protect menopausal women.
The current law does not serve or protect menopausal women. Whilst the law rightly protects women from pregnancy and maternity discrimination, it does not specifically protect menopause. This is anomalous, given all women will experience menopause, whilst not all women … Read more
Government Response
The government does not accept the recommendation to commence section 14 of the Equality Act 2010, and does not believe that introducing menopause as a new protected characteristic is the correct approach.
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13 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Menopause and the W…
We are also persuaded that a new protected characteristic of menopause should be created, although...
We are also persuaded that a new protected characteristic of menopause should be created, although we acknowledge this will need careful drafting and consultation. The Government should launch a consultation on how to amend the Equality Act to introduce a … Read more
Government Response
The government does not accept the recommendation to launch a consultation on amending the Equality Act to introduce a new protected characteristic of menopause.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 13 of 12 classified
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 5
Deferred 1
Rejected 5
Total 12 recs + 1 conclusion
Correspondence 13 letters
5 Jul 2023 Correspondence from the Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, relating to menopause in the workplace
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23 Mar 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy relating to invitation to give evidence
Parliament page
17 Mar 2023 From committee Letter to the Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy relating to invitation to give evidence
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1 Mar 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy relating to the Government’s response to the Committee’s report on Menopause in the Workplace
Parliament page
25 Jan 2023 To committee Letter from the Chair to Maria Caulfield on the Government's Response to the Committee's Report on Menopause and the Workplace
Parliament page
3 Nov 2022 To committee Letter from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care relating to delay in the Government’s response to the report on Menopause and the workplace
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20 Oct 2022 To committee Letter from Marcial Boo, CEO of the EHRC relating to Menopause and the Workplace
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8 Jun 2022 Correspondence from Minister for Work & Pensions (Lords) and Minister for Women relating to Menopause and the workplace
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8 Jun 2022 Correspondence from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Primary Care and Patient Safety relating to Hormone replacement therapy
Parliament page
12 May 2022 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for Women relating to the Committee’s inquiry Menopause and the workplace
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12 May 2022 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for Primary Care and Patient Safety relating to Hormone Replacement Therapy and related matters
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28 Mar 2022 Correspondence from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, BEIS to Carolyn Harris relating to Menopause and the workplace
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16 Feb 2022 Correspondence to the Chair from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for primary care relating to the UK Menopause Taskforce
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