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
20 Jun
2023
20 Jun
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
22 Mar
2023
22 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
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
Women and Equalities Committee
Carol Vorderman · Menopause Mandate Karen Arthur · Menopause Whilst Black Kate Muir Mariella Frostrup · Menopause Mandate
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
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
Menopause and the workplace
Adam Pavey · Pannone Corporate Colin Davidson · Discrimination Law Association Marian Bloodworth · Deloitte Legal
Menopause and the workplace
Amy Bennie · Daisy Network Karen Arthur
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
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
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.
Government Equalities Office
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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.
Government Equalities Office
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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.
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.
Government Equalities Office
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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

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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
20 Oct 2022 To committee Letter from Marcial Boo, CEO of the EHRC relating to Menopause and the Workplace
Parliament page
8 Jun 2022 Correspondence from Minister for Work & Pensions (Lords) and Minister for Women relating to Menopause and the workplace
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
12 May 2022 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for Primary Care and Patient Safety relating to Hormone Replacement Therapy and related matters
Parliament page
28 Mar 2022 Correspondence from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, BEIS to Carolyn Harris relating to Menopause and the workplace
Parliament page
16 Feb 2022 Correspondence to the Chair from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for primary care relating to the UK Menopause Taskforce
Parliament page