Guidance published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in February 2024 offers practical advice for employers to support workers, while also highlighting the consequences for employers failing to meet their duties under the Equality Act 2010.
The guidelines recognise that menopause symptoms can in some cases be severe enough to qualify as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This means employers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for affected employees.
The guidelines also emphasise individual needs and encourage open communication between employees and employers to determine suitable adjustments. Examples of adjustments could include:
- Providing flexible working arrangements such as flexibility of location and varying shift patterns
- Providing rest areas and quiet rooms
- Introducing temperature control measures such as cooling systems or fans for women experiencing hot flushes
- Relaxing uniform policies
- Providing cooler clothing
Employers are also encouraged to train managers and staff on menopause awareness, promoting understanding and empathy. Resources and support mechanisms should be readily available for women experiencing menopause symptoms.
Failure to comply with these guidelines could lead to legal action, including discrimination claims and financial penalties.
Under current laws, the menopause itself is not protected under the Equality Act as a disability. However, the EHRC guidelines clarify that when menopause symptoms can be shown to have a long-term and substantial impact on a woman’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, they could be considered a qualifying disability under the Equality Act. This then places a legal duty on the employer to make reasonable adjustments. – Information sourced from David Morris.com visit there for more great info.
Our Take – Your work place has a duty of care to support you while going through this change in your body, if you are finding elements of your job difficult it is worth speaking directly with your manager or HR department and using the above information to support your discussions.
Channel 4 study
Lots of us watched the Channel 4 documentary “Davina McCall: Sex, Mind and the Menopause” and it speaks of progress when a popular TV channel funds and investigates the effects and impact of Menopause, breath out women, we are getting somewhere!
The results were fascinating, and frightening.
The report produced by the Fawcett Society is based on survey data commissioned by Channel 4 of over 4,000 women. – READ IT HERE https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/news/landmark-study-menopausal-women-let-down-by-employers-and-healthcare-providers?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA6KWvBhAREiwAFPZM7rDaUrbaLZrVqpKZ_uLT4bodetp-PlPF5njoTDQZFUWQmuYV_q0xnRoCxD0QAvD_BwE
Our Take – We were shocked to find only 14% of women in the UK are on HRT. What do you take from the stats? Were the numbers where you thought they would be, and where do you fit in the statistics?