Committees

Menopause and the workplace

Inquiry

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 between 45 and 55- were negatively affected at work and that almost 900,000 women in the U.K. left their jobs over an undefined period of time because of menopausal symptoms. This could mean that women are leaving businesses “at the peak of their experience” which will “impact productivity”. Women in this age group are likely to be eligible for senior management roles, and so their exit can lessen diversity at executive levels. It can also contribute to the gender pay-gap and feed into a disparity in pensions.

Under the Equality Act 2010, menopause discrimination is largely covered under three protected characteristics: age, sex and disability discrimination. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides for safe working, which extends to the working conditions when experiencing menopausal symptoms. There have been several calls made for further legislation to require employers to put in place a workplace menopause policy to protect women going through the menopause against discrimination whilst at work.

The Government Equalities Office 2019 ‘roadmap’ on gender equality commits the Government to conduct research into “what works to improve women’s reproductive health, across the life course” and “develop indicators relating to women’s health experience and impact on their work.” The Government has also recently sought views to help inform the development of a Women’s Health Strategy. 

The Committee published its report on 28 July 2022. The Government responded to the Committee’s report on 12 January 2023.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 11:58pm on 17 September 2021.

Upcoming events

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Past events

Tuesday 20 June 2023
1:30pm Private
2:00pm Public
Menopause and the workplace - Oral evidence 20 June 2023
2:00pm
  • Helen Tomlinson (Menopause Employment Champion and Head of Talent (UK and Ireland) at The Adecco Group)
  • Maria Caulfield MP (Minister for Mental Health and Women's Health Strategy and Minister for Women at Department for Health and Social Care)
  • Marian Holliday (Deputy Director, Acute Care Policy at Department for Health and Social Care)
  • Mims Davies MP (Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression at Department for Work & Pensions)
  • Natalie Keogh (Deputy Director – Labour Market, Carers, Ethnic Minorities and 50+ Choices at Department for Work & Pensions)
Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 22 March 2023
3:00pm Private
3:30pm Public
Menopause and the workplace - Oral evidence 22 March 2023
3:30pm
  • Karen Arthur (Founder at Menopause Whilst Black)
  • Kate Muir
  • Carol Vorderman (Patron at Menopause Mandate)
  • Mariella Frostrup (Chair at Menopause Mandate)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 16 March 2022
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Menopause and the workplace - Oral evidence 16 March 2022
2:30pm
  • Paul Scully MP (Minister for London and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Small Businesses, Consumers and Labour Markets) at Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
  • Michael Warren (Director, Labour Market at Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
  • Maria Caulfield MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care) at Department of Health and Social Care)
  • William Vineall (Director, NHS Safety Investigations at Department of Health and Social Care)
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 9 February 2022
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Menopause and the workplace - Oral evidence 9 February 2022
2:30pm
  • Deborah Garlick (Founder and Director at Henpicked - Menopause in the Workplace)
  • Nikki Pound (Women's Equality Policy Officer at Trade Union Congress)
  • Claire McCartney (Senior Policy Adviser (Resourcing and Inclusion) at Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)
3:30pm
  • Lynda Bailey
  • Chris Pitt (CEO at First Direct)
  • Sharon Ollivier (Senior Training and Development Partner at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster

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We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.