Women workers face ‘menopause misery’

Menopausal women are facing “unnecessary misery” in the workplace, according to Fawcett Society chief executive Jemima Olchawski, following the gender equality group’s report, Menopause and the Workplace, based on what it describes as the largest ever survey of menopausal and peri-menopausal women.

Survey data from more than 4,000 women found that one in 10 with the menopause leave work due to their symptoms, rising to 22% for disabled women, while 80% of women say their employer has done nothing to share information about the menopause, train staff or adopt a menopause absence policy or action plan.

A fifth of women (21%) who have to wear a uniform or follow a dress code say it is uncomfortable with menopause symptoms, and 41% say those symptoms are often treated as a joke at work. Nearly two-fifths who take time off cite anxiety or depression as the main reason, rather than reveal their menopause status.

The figures expose a “national scandal”, according to Olchawski, who said “women are being badly let down”. The Fawcett Society is calling on the government to force employers to have menopause action plans and make flexible working a default. It also wants the government to run a public information campaign.