‘Menopause leave’ trial rejected by government ministers

Ministers have rejected a proposal from MPs to introduce ‘menopause leave’ pilots in England, arguing it could be ‘counterproductive’.

The government has rejected calls for a trial of menopausal leave for women, claiming that it could cause discrimination against men with long-term medical conditions.

Ministers also rejected a recommendation to make menopause a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act, which was introduced in 2010. 

The suggestions came from the Women and Equalities committee, which accused ministers of making ‘glacial progress’ on menopause support.

Caroline Nokes, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee – which submitted 12 recommendations aimed at giving working women more rights in a report last July – accused the government on a ‘complacent’ response.

A survey last year found one in 10 women who worked during the menopause had left a job due to their symptoms, while others had reduced their hours, gone part-time, or not applied for promotion.

However, in a response to the report, the government rejected outright five of the committees proposals, including a recommendation for the government to work with a largely public sector employer to ‘develop and pilot a specific menopause leave policy’.

In its report, the cross-party group of MPs argued this could stop women being ‘forced out of work by insensitive and rigid sickness policies’.

The government claimed it was focused on encouraging employers to implement workplace policies, adding: ‘We are concerned that specific menopause leave may be counterproductive to achieving this goal.’

Ms Nokes’ letter to health minister Maria Caufield called it a ‘missed opportunity to protect vast numbers of talented and experienced women from leaving the workforce and leaves me unconvinced that menopause is a government priority’.

A government spokesperson added that it recognised the challenge menopause poses for women and that the first-ever women’s health strategy in England shows women’s health is ‘at the top of the agenda’.

In addition to the government slacking on providing sufficient menopause support, other areas in the UK have also been found to be failing. Councillors from Norfolk County Council have slammed the lack of support given to menopausal women.