Women going through menopause may be entitled to paid time off, home care or cooler offices, and a more comfortable uniform under work schedules
- Women going through menopause may be entitled to paid leave or unemployment benefits
- The labor plan could lead companies to consider cooler officers or a comfortable uniform
Women going through menopause could be given the right to work from home or get paid time off to attend doctors’ appointments under a Labor government.
Female staff could also be allowed to make changes to uniform rules and workplace temperature to help them cope with hot flashes, such as being allowed to have a fan on their desk.
And they may ask for more breaks during the workday or flexible hours, under Labor proposals to help menopausal women themselves and prevent them from leaving the labor market.
If the party comes to power, all companies with more than 250 employees must create annual menopause action plans outlining how they support their female workforce.
Women going through menopause could be given the right to work from home or get paid time off to attend doctors’ appointments under a Labor government. (File photo)
Ministers would not dictate the content of the plans, but would advise on options, and companies would have to submit their proposals to the government in the same way they are currently required to submit data on the gender pay gap.
Some of the UK’s largest companies have already changed policies to help menopausal women, who can experience hot flashes, mood swings and even memory loss as their hormone levels plummet in middle age.
Last year, Tesco said it would not account for time off due to menopause systems when calculating staff absenteeism, and developed lighter, more breathable uniforms.
Hundreds of other companies have signed a pledge to make their workplaces more transition-friendly.
Labor chair Anneliese Dodds said: “Women in their 50s are the fastest growing group in the workforce, but they are under a lot of pressure, with many managing their menopausal symptoms while holding jobs, caring for elderly parents and support their own children.
“No one should be faced with having to leave their job because of menopause. Today’s announcement is a critical step forward in enabling these women to return to work, continue their careers or stay in work.
Deputy Labor leader Angela Rayner said ‘Everyone should be supported to thrive at work’
“From access to vital health care to workplace support, the Conservatives have left the field to support women. Labor will ensure that these women are heard and supported during what can be a difficult time in their lives.”
And Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said, “Everyone needs to be supported to thrive at work. All too often, women going through menopause are abandoned. Among Conservatives, the number of women leaving the labor market is skyrocketing and productivity is plummeting as those who stay in work don’t get the support they need. This is bad for women, bad for business and bad for our economy.
“I know from working with many incredible women how hard it is to keep going every day at work while struggling with serious symptoms like depression, joint pain and extreme fatigue. It happens in every workplace, but all too often women suffer in silence.”
