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Inquiry launched to assess workplace support for menopause

The parliamentary inquiry will examine if legislation is doing enough to address discrimination for working women.

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In a previous study by Forth With Life, it found that of 1,000 women, 63% said that their working life has been negatively impacted by their menopausal symptoms.

 

With data such as this indicating that female employees need more support in the workplace, MPs are now set to examine this lack of support.

 

A parliamentary inquiry into the workplace treatment of women going through menopause will examine if legislation is doing enough to address discrimination.

 

The Commons cross-party women and equalities committee is launching the inquiry dubbed An invisible cohort: Why are workplaces failing women going through menopause?

 

The inquiry stated that almost a million women in the UK have left jobs as a result of menopausal symptoms.

 

Currently, existing legislation protects employees from discrimination based on age, sex and disability, however several calls have been made for further measures to be introduced.

 

Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, said: “Despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of women in the UK are currently going through the menopause – a process that can be both physically and mentally draining – it is ignored in legislation.

 

“It is time to uncover and address this huge issue, which has been left near-invisible for far too long.”

 

Legal expert welcomes inquiry

Jenny Arrowsmith, an employment partner at Irwin Mitchell, has welcomed the announcement that there will be a parliamentary inquiry into the treatment of women going through menopause.

 

However, she pointed out that many organisations don’t know where to start regards implementing a policy to protect workers.

 

She explained: “Many businesses don’t know where to start. Having a menopause policy is helpful, and one of things this committee will consider, but I’d hope that the recommendations will go much further than this.

 

“It’s not just about having a policy. Businesses need to understand the menopause, how it can affect women differently and put in place support mechanisms to help them flourish.”

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