More than 80% of women in the UK say their employers provide no support at work for those with menopause symptoms, polling has found.
A survey of 13,000 female union members by the Unite trade union about toilet, period and menopause dignity at work found that many women still struggle to get adequate toilet breaks or adjustments for their menopause symptoms.
Of the 11,000 who answered questions on the menopause, 9,000, or 83%, said their employers did not provide any support for women experiencing the menopause.
The perimenopause can cause flooding, cramping and other period symptoms, but 15% of women said their toilet visits were recorded or monitored at work, and 7% said they had to ask permission to use the toilet. More than half said they did not believe their employer subscribed to period dignity.
The findings echo research in November by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which found that more than two-thirds of women in the UK had had bad experiences at work because of their periods. Research by the recruitment specialist Reed this year also found that 55% of women said their employer did not support them with their menopause symptoms, even though around three-quarters said they were affected mentally and/or physically at work.
Increasing numbers of employment tribunals have found that employers treat women experiencing the menopause unfairly. The menopause is not a specific protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, but if an employee or worker is put at a disadvantage and treated less favourably because of their menopause symptoms, this could be considered as age, sex or disability discrimination.
Hundreds of women told Unite that they had to work in uncomfortable conditions during debilitating experiences such as hot flushes. Some said they were not even allowed simple adjustments such as office fans.
The general secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, said employers needed to do more to create menopause-friendly workplaces. “It’s despicable that so many women do not have access to basic support,” she said. “It’s a serious industrial matter and attitudes must shift as we work to make lasting improvements for everyone in the workplace.”
The union is calling for menopause awareness and understanding to be made compulsory for employers and for menopause-related sickness to be discounted from sick leave.
Responding to the findings, Clare Knox, the chief executive of the training provider See Her Thrive, which supports women in the workplace, said those experiencing the menopause should met with “support, respect and empathy”.
“These alarming statistics are an outrage, exposing a harsh and unacceptable reality for thousands of women forced to endure one of the most challenging phases of their lives in hostile work environments that blatantly ignore their needs.
“Workplaces need to realise that adapting their policies and practices to support women going through menopause isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s an absolute necessity.”
Carolyn Harris, chair of the Commons all-party parliamentary group on menopause, said: “Despite more and more employers pledging to make the changes needed to support women through the menopause, the results from this survey are a stark reminder of just how much more still needs to be done.”
“If we are going to succeed in keeping more women in work and economically active, then it is vital that employers and policymakers listen to women and commit to do more.”
A government spokesperson said: “We appointed the government’s first menopause employment champion earlier this year to drive support in the workplace for women who are at the peak of their skills and experience and to end the stigma of menopause.
“Together with DWP our champion is engaging with businesses across the country so they can make the necessary adjustments allowing women to continue in their careers and progress.
