Menopause: Workplace Support

Women and Equalities – in the House of Commons at on 20 March 2024.

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Photo of Gerald Jones Gerald Jones Opposition Whip (Commons), Shadow Minister (Scotland)

What steps the Government are taking to help support women experiencing menopause at work.

Photo of Mims Davies Mims Davies The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

In March 2023, I appointed Helen Tomlinson as the Government’s first menopause employment champion. We are working across Government and with employers to increase awareness and develop policies to support women experiencing the impact of menopause at work. We recently launched new guidance on the Help to Grow portal to empower businesses to educate their organisation about menopause.

Photo of Gerald Jones Gerald Jones Opposition Whip (Commons), Shadow Minister (Scotland)

Last July, we saw the introduction of the British Standards Institution standard on menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace. Earlier this month, the International Organisation for Standardisation voted to develop an international version. Will the Minister join me in congratulating the BSI, countless grassroots organisations, individuals including my hon. Friend Carolyn Harris, and the menopause all-party parliamentary group, who have all worked tirelessly to ensure that menopausal women in this country are given the support that they so deserve?

Photo of Mims Davies Mims Davies The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

I am absolutely delighted to welcome all of that work. I also welcome the fact that Carolyn Harris was able to join us in a roundtable discussion at Gower College. In fact, Jane from the BSI was one of a number of women to join our first menopause roundtable for International Women’s Day at No. 10, where we celebrated the BSI and its international achievements. Helen Tomlinson, too, has been recognised internationally.