New Women’s Employment Ambassador role targets workplace health

Mariella Frostrup has been appointed the government’s women’s employment ambassador, a new role to support working women across the UK.

The new role comes as the government steps up efforts to support women with menopause symptoms, with businesses being encouraged to publish action plans aimed at tackling the £1.7bn lost each year through sick days, lost productivity and women leaving the workforce because of menopause.

The women’s employment ambassador role expands the remit of the menopause employment ambassador post, which Mariella Frostrup held over the past year.

In that role, she oversaw the launch of the Menopause Advisory Group and discussions with hundreds of employers to improve workplace support for women experiencing menopause.

In the expanded role, Frostrup will work closely with employers across the country to raise awareness of key health issues affecting women at work and champion the economic contribution women make.

Experts from across sectors will be brought together to gather evidence, identify barriers and opportunities, and provide informed recommendations on supporting women’s health at work.

Frostrup said: “Menopause support in the workplace has come a long way, and that progress is something to be proud of, but it cannot be where our ambition stops.

“Women’s health affects their working lives long before menopause, and for too long many have been navigating these challenges without the right support around them.

“Every woman deserves to know, at every stage of her career, that her health will not be a barrier to her success.

“I am delighted to take on this role and look forward to working with employers across the country support their imperative female workforce and retain them.”

Many health conditions affect women long before they reach menopause, including endometriosis and fibroids, making it vital that support is available throughout their working lives to stop women dropping out of the workforce for good.

This comes as part of the government’s drive to reverse the rise in the number of women who are economically inactive because of long-term sickness, which has hit a near-record high of 1.48 million.

Large businesses with 250 or more employees are also being encouraged to produce and publish voluntary action plans setting out how they will support employees experiencing menopause symptoms in the workplace.

Companies will be asked to commit to at least one action to support employees experiencing menopause, such as setting up support groups, tailored workplace adjustments including alternative uniforms, and more.

Dame Diana Johnson, minister for employment, said: “Too many women still face barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential in the workplace.

“This new ambassador role sends a clear signal that we are serious about changing that, and Mariella Frostrup is the ideal person to take this on.

“By championing the brilliant contributions women make – as entrepreneurs, workers, and leaders – we can unlock economic growth that benefits everyone.”

The action plans are one part of the Employment Rights Act, which will boost employment and improve job security for more than 18 million workers and will benefit women balancing health, care responsibilities and careers.

Tracy Black, CBI chief commercial officer, said: “Businesses are committed to taking action to help women both stay and succeed in the workplace.”

“Awareness of the impact of menopausal symptoms at work is rising, leading to businesses taking a more pro-active approach to providing support. This is part of a wider trend of firms sharpening their focus on health and wellbeing.”

The women’s health ambassador, alongside the government’s renewal of the women’s health strategy, are working to make faster, more decisive progress on the health outcomes that matter most to women and girls across the country.

These measures, along with the new ambassador role, are intended to ensure employers are better equipped to support women and that women know how to access help throughout their career. Supporting women into work and throughout their career is a key part of the government’s commitment to Get Britain Working.

From spring 2026, employers with 250 or more employees will have the option to produce and publish a voluntary action plan alongside their gender pay gap.