Menopause and other related issues

The impact of menopause and other related concerns, such as endometriosis and menstruation, can all have a significant effect on an employee's ability to perform their day to day duties. 

Employers should therefore be mindful of this, and consider putting in place relevant policies and processes supporting employees through what can be difficult times for many people. 

Key points

• Menopause, menstruation and endometriosis can affect women, and those assigned female at birth, to varying degrees. In some cases, they can have a serious impact on the individual's ability to perform day to day tasks.  
• Whilst the government has expressly rejected including menopause in the list of 'protected characteristics' in the Equality Act 2010, the impact of it, and menstruation and endometriosis, can be so severe that it can engage the protection of the disability discrimination provisions of that act. This is where the affects have an impact on the individuals ability to perform day to day tasks, and has lasted (or is expected to last) for 12 months or more. More information on this can be found in our dedicated resource Disability discrimination. 
• Regardless of whether or not there is a disability, employers should do what they can to support workers who are struggling with these issues. 
• There is a range of support available, and numerous charities and campaigns offering advice to employers looking to do more.