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Closed Require employers with more than 250 employees to introduce a Menopause Policy

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According to the Government Report on Menopause, ‘menopausal women are the fastest growing workforce demographic’. The average age for a woman to go through menopause is 51. The average age of female suicide is between 45 & 49.
Nearly 8 out of 10 of menopausal women are in work.

Many line managers say that they don’t feel confident talking about menopause. They don’t know enough about it or how they can help. A Government-commissioned report on menopause highlights the need for employers to put in place training, processes and information so all colleagues have a clear understanding of menopause. Whether it’s a policy or guidance document – it’s best if it’s written down and well publicised. A written Menopause policy for all large employers would be a significant step.

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  • Related activity

    MPs debate a motion on Menopause

    On Thursday 26 October, Peter Dowd MP opened a debate in Parliament on menopause. During the debate, MPs discussed the challenges of menopause, raising awareness among medical professionals and access to treatment.

    What are backbench business debates?

    Backbench business debates give backbenchers (MPs who aren’t ministers or shadow ministers) an opportunity to secure a debate on a topic of their choice, either in the Chamber or Westminster Hall.

    MPs can make a request for a debate to the Backbench Business Committee, who hears and decides which debates to schedule.

    Backbench debates can either be general debates (which do not end in a vote) or be on a substantive motion (which calls for an action and can end in a vote). This debate was a general debate.

    Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament

    Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.

  • Related activity

    MPs publish report on menopause in the workplace

    On Thursday 28 July, the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee published a report on menopause in the workplace.

    The Committee's report finds that employers' lack of support for menopausal symptoms is pushing 'highly skilled and experienced' women out of work, with knock-on effects on the gender pay gap, pension gap and the number of women in senior leadership positions.

    In its report, the Committee makes a series of recommendations to the Government, including calls to:

    • launch a consultation exploring how to introduce menopause as a protected characteristic
    • launch a public health campaign on the symptoms of the menopause, its impact, and how to seek treatment and support at work
    • appoint a Menopause Ambassador, and task them with helping to introduce model workplace policies on how to request reasonable adjustments, advice on flexible working and sick leave, and building a supportive culture
    • pilot a 'menopause leave' policy within a public sector employer
    • make training on menopause a mandatory part of continuing professional development for GPs

    What happens next?

    The Government now must respond to the Committee's report, which was published on 28 July 2022, within two months. The Committee will publish the Government’s response here on its website.

    What is the Women and Equalities Committee

    The Women and Equalities Committee is a cross-party group of MPs that look into the work of the Government Equalities Office (GEO).

    The Women and Equalities Committee is a select committee. Find out how select committees work.

    Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament

    Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.

  • Related activity

    How petitioners have informed Parliament’s work on the menopause

    We wanted to share a story of how petitioners, including many who signed this petition, have influenced and informed debates about the menopause in Parliament. This short, immersive story spotlights several women who signed petitions about the menopause, made their voices heard in parliamentary debates, and details some recent commitments made by the Government on this issue.

    Read ‘The menopause: from petitions and parliamentary debates to Government action’: https://ukparliament.shorthandstories.com/the-menopause/index.html

    For other ways you can get involved in the work of Parliament, sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter: https://learning.parliament.uk/en/your-uk-parliament-newsletter-sign-up-form/

  • Petition closed

  • Related activity

    Government announces cut in costs of repeatable HRT prescriptions

    On Friday 29 October, MPs debated a Private Member's Bill on access to services and support for women experiencing the menopause. This Bill was introduced by Carolyn Harris MP.

    In the debate, the Government announced it would introduce changes to cut the cost of repeatable Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescriptions and improve access to HRT.

    Watch the debate here:
    https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/fe4e3663-0911-4eb0-9469-ba7118b7ddb3?in=09:34:50

    Read the transcript of the debate here:
    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-10-29/debates/29F63A4A-BD9F-4A23-A64F-6701E2158A9F/Menopause(SupportAndServices)Bill

    During the debate, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Maria Caulfield MP announced that the Government would work with the NHS in England to implement longer prescribing cycles for HRT. This would mean that women would have to pay for repeat prescriptions less often, with prescribers able to issue a batch of prescriptions for up to 12 months where clinically appropriate.

    The Government also committed to establish a new cross-government Menopause Taskforce to consider issues such as education and workplace policies.

    Read more about the actions the Government is taking:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-support-for-women-experiencing-the-menopause

    What's a Private Member's Bill?

    Private Members' Bills are public bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers. As with other public bills their purpose is to change the law. Only a minority of Private Members' bills become law but, by creating publicity around an issue, they may affect legislation indirectly.

    Find out about how Private Member's bills work: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/bills/private-members/

    Further information

    Find out how to get involved in the work of the UK Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/

  • Related activity

    Share your views on menopause and the workplace with MPs

    MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee are investigating the way women and people who experience menopause are supported in the workplace. This inquiry will examine the extent of discrimination faced by menopausal people in the workplace, and investigate how Government policy and workplace practices can better support those experiencing menopause.

    To inform their understanding of these issues, the Committee would like to hear about people’s experiences at work and beyond.

    Share your experiences by completing this short survey (by 30 September): https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nt3mHDeziEC-Xo277ASzSugWXtlS9G1OpuyhNtc2h8lUNkpKMUhIOFFINURIQlZMTko5ME5XU1VTTSQlQCN0PWcu&wdLOR=c132E7441-C178-47BE-B863-D79F4828FB36

    Find out more about the ‘Menopause and the workplace’ inquiry: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1416/menopause-and-the-workplace/

    What is the Women and Equalities Committee?

    The Women and Equalities Committee is a cross-party group of MPs who hold the Government to account on equality law and policy, including the Equality Act 2010 and cross Government activity on equalities. It also scrutinises the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

    Find out more about the Women and Equalities Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/
    Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://twitter.com/commonswomequ

  • Related activity

    MPs launch an inquiry into menopause and the workplace

    On 23 July, MPs on the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee launched an inquiry into menopause and the workplace. The inquiry will consider existing laws and workplace practices, and investigate whether enough is being done to address the impact the menopause can have on working women.

    Find out more about the inquiry: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1416/menopause-and-the-workplace/

    What is the Women and Equalities Committee?

    The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) examines the work of the Government Equalities Office (GEO). It holds Government to account on equality law and policy, including the Equality Act 2010 and cross Government activity on equalities. It also scrutinises the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

    Find out more about the WEC: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/
    Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://twitter.com/Commonswomequ

  • Related activity

    Share your views on support for people experiencing menopausal symptoms

    On Wednesday 9 June, Carolyn Harris MP is leading a debate on support for people experiencing menopausal symptoms.

    To inform her debate, she wants to understand your insights and experiences of this issue.

    She may quote your story directly during her debate.

    Find out more and share your experiences here: https://houseofcommons.shorthandstories.com/support-for-people-experiencing-menopausal-symptoms/index.html

    You’ll be able to watch the debate from 4.50pm on Wednesday 9 June on this page. The debate transcript and other relevant material will be accessible shortly after the debate.

    The deadline for contributions is midday on Tuesday 8 June.

    What are Westminster Hall debates?

    Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Any MP can take part in a Westminster Hall debate.

    Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 6 November 2021.