Lack of support for menopausal women driving them out of jobs

MPs call for Menopause Ambassador to be appointed to stop menopausal women leaving workplace.

A lack of support for women going through menopause is enlarging the gender gap in the workplace which could result in a loss of talent for the UK economy.

The report, conducted by the Women and Equalities Committee in the Commons, warned that a lack of support for menopausal women could result in bigger gender gap and pension gaps, affecting also the amount of women in leadership roles.

Therefore, MPs are requesting a menopause ambassador to stop the high number of women leaving the workplace. 

The report followed a 2019 survey conducted by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) that found that three in five menopausal women were negatively affected at work.

Caroline Nokes, chair of Women and Equalities Committee, said: “ Menopause is inevitable. The steady haemorrhage of talented women from our workforce, however, is not. Stigma, shame and dismissive cultures can, and must, be dismantled.

“It is imperative that we build workplaces – and a society – which not only supports those going though the menopause but encourages some of the most experienced and skilled workers in our economy to thrive.

“The omission of menopause as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act is not longer tenable, given that 51 per cent of the populations will experience menopause.”

MPs found 67 per cent of women experienced a loss of confidence as a direct consequence of suffering from menopausal symptoms, while seven in ten mentioned an increased feeling of stress.

However, only one in ten of women requested any changes in the workplace and in the way they were working. 

Carolyn Harris, a MP who specialises in menopause, said: “This report is both timely and important.

“The committee has produced an excellent report reflective of the current situation faced by many women today. The balancing act of coping with symptoms and working can be overwhelming.

“This report accurately points out that keeping women in work should not be a challenge. Common sense and respect for women would solve many of the problems that menopausal women currently are experiencing.”

Menopausal symptoms can begin months or even years before a woman’s period stops and last around four years after her last period , although many women experience them for much longer. 

Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, mood changes and headaches. There is also evidence that the fall in hormone levels can increase vulnerability to heart disease and strokes.