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MEPs call for a Menopause Ambassador to be appointed to prevent menopausal women from leaving their workplaces Research suggests that the lack of employer provisions for postmenopausal women will affect the gender pay gap, the pension gap, and the number of women in leadership positions. A lack of support for menopausal women in the workplace is driving working women out of their jobs and pushing the UK economy into a "talent hemorrhage", MPs have warned in a damning new report.
The research, led by the House of Commons Committee on Women and Equality, suggested that the lack of employer provisions for postmenopausal women will have implications for gender pay and pension gaps, as well as the number of women in leadership positions.
Parliamentarians have called for the appointment of a menopause ambassador to try to stop the high number of women leaving the workplace.
The report also urged the government to revise the Equality Act so that menopause is established as a protected characteristic, as well as to include the responsibility of workplaces to provide 'reasonable accommodation' to workers struggling with menopause.
Most of the 3.4 million women between the ages of 50 and 64 in the UK will experience symptoms of menopause, ranging from heart palpitations to hot flashes, vaginal pain, anxiety and depression.
Caroline Nokes, chairwoman of the Women and Equality Commission, said: “Menopause is inevitable. However, the constant bleeding of talented women into our workforce is not. Stigma, shame, and dismissive cultures can and should be dismantled.
“It is imperative that we build workplaces – and a society – that not only support those going through menopause, but encourage some of the most experienced and skilled workers in our economy to thrive.
"The omission of menopause as a characteristic protected by the Equality Act is no longer tenable, given that 51% of the population will experience menopause."
The Conservative MP warned that "postmenopausal women have been mocked and slandered for far too long" and called on the government to seize "the opportunity to enact change".
“Too many women are fired when they show symptoms and too many women are unable to access the care and medication they need,” said Ms Nokes.
A recent survey by the Fawcett Society, a gender equality charity, and Channel 4 found that one in 10 women in the UK have quit their job due to menopausal symptoms. The researchers interviewed 4,000 women between the ages of 45 and 55.
The latest report from MPs also warned that women face major obstacles when seeking their first diagnosis during menopause or perimenopause. MPs suggested that women face an "unacceptable" postcode lottery, as they demanded that there be a specialist menopause service in all Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).
MPs have called on ministers to drop charges for dual prescription of progesterone and estrogen in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), arguing that it should be replaced by a single charge.
A survey of more than 2,000 women commissioned by the all-party committee of MPs found that 67% warned of "loss of confidence" as a direct result of suffering from menopausal symptoms, while seven in 10 cited "increased stress". .
However, only one in ten respondents have asked their employer to change the way they work.
“The committee has produced an excellent report that reflects the current situation facing many women today. The balance between coping with symptoms and working can be overwhelming.
“This report rightly points out that keeping women in the workplace doesn't have to be a challenge. Common sense and respect for women would solve many of the problems menopausal women currently experience.
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