Menopausal women ‘may be discriminated against at work’

Posted 09/03/2011

Employers and unions need to work harder to ensure that women going through the menopause are not discriminated against at work.

This is the conclusion of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which has published new guidance on how managers can help women who need extra assistance to deal with their symptoms, for example, sick leave.

It drew up the Supporting Women Through the Menopause document after research from the British Occupational Health Research Foundation and the University of Nottingham found that one in three menopausal women has experienced criticism from their manager for taking sick leave relating to their condition.

Meanwhile, one in five said they were ridiculed or even harassed after they broached the subject of their menopause with their boss, despite the fact that discrimination is illegal under the 2010 Equalities Act.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said more needs to be done to protect women experiencing these changes, which occur at the age of 52 on average in the UK.

“There is no excuse for the silence, embarrassment, confusion and inaction around the menopause – something which all women go through,” he added.

Anyone who feels they are being discriminated against may wish to take their case to an employment law tribunal with the assistance of a solicitor.