Menopause Mandate: Disappointed in the government response to The Menopause and the workplace report

1 year ago

Mariella Frostrup: 'A couple of weeks ago the Treasury was talking about policies to get people back to work. Wouldn't it be nice to keep them there in the first place?'

Menopause Mandate disappointed in the Government's response to the Menopause and the Workplace Report produced by the Women and Equalities Committee.

The Government has rejected five recommendations, including a consultation on amending the 2010 Equality Act to make menopause a protected characteristic, producing model menopause policies and trialling menopause leave, all of which would help to retain and support menopausal women in the workplace.

The Chair of Menopause Mandate, Mariella Frostrup, spoke on BBC Breakfast News this morning:

'This response is three and a half months late and five key points have been rejected. As MP Caroline Nokes says, it's a missed opportunity to support the millions of menopausal women in the workplace, many of whom will leave because of their symptoms.

'It seems particularly ironic given that a couple of weeks ago the Treasury was talking about policies to get people back to work. Wouldn't it be nice to keep them there in the first place?'

MODEL MENOPAUSE POLICIES - RECOMMENDATION REJECTED

The Report recommends that the Government produces model menopause policies to assist employers. This would give advice on flexible working, sick leave for menopause symptoms and provisions for education, training and building a supportive culture.

It is dismaying to learn that the Government hasn't accepted the recommendation, saying that they don't believe it is currently necessary.

Menopause Mandate expert expert, Cathy Hastie, HR Director and menopause advocate says: A menopause policy is a vital part of providing guidance on how to manage menopause in the workplace, and the support a menopausal worker can expect.

'Many employers need guidance on how to frame a policy and what should be included, especially around reasonable adjustments.

'The Government providing model policies not only provides much needed guidance on practice, but role models the importance of having a policy in place as a bare minimum.

MAKE MENOPAUSE A PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC - RECOMMENDATION REJECTED

The Government has rejected launching a consultation on how to amend the Equality Act 2010 to make menopause a protected characteristic. (It is currently covered under the three protected characteristics of age, sex and disability). MM argues that these don't cover enough scenarios and protect enough women.

The Government agrees that: 'Women who suffer substantial and longer-term menopausal effects should be adequately protected'. But in refusing to allow consultation into this proposed change they aren't honouring this.

Mariella Frostrup says: This is representative of the Government’s patronising and misplaced approach to menopausal women. It’s a liminal phase affecting 50 per cent of the population and surely deserves to be a protected characteristic all of its own?

MM expert Emma Hammond, employment partner at gunnercooke LLP says: 'The law presently requires women to frame their circumstances into age, sex or disability discrimination claims, which is far from satisfactory. It is extremely disappointing that the government is refusing to even entertain a consultation period, as the Committee suggests, into the question of introducing menopause as a protected characteristic.

Such a period would allow all of their concerns to be properly addressed, including by the Employment Lawyers Association, so that a properly informed decision can then be taken. Instead, we are met with a blanket refusal.

MENOPAUSE LEAVE - RECOMMENDATION REJECTED

The Committee recommends that the Government should work with a large public sector employer with a strong public profile to develop and pilot a specific ‘menopause leave’ policy and provide an evaluation of the scheme and proposals for further roll out, within 12 months of commencing the scheme.

This has also been rejected outright, which shows lack of foresight and understanding of menopause.

Mariella Frostrup says: I don’t think women are shirkers when it comes to work. Menopause leave isn’t something that they will indiscriminately embrace and take months off for no reason. For those suffering extremely debilitating symptoms, allowing some leave would seem the human thing to do.

Cathy Hastie says: For some women, menopause is so debilitating that it necessitates some time away from work. This leave needs to be treated differently from other sickness absence and protected from what can be punitive sickness absence management procedures. To deny them this protection is incredibly disappointing.

PRE-PAYMENT CERTIFICATE

It appears that the long-promised Pre-Payment Certificate for HRT, meaning that women will only have to pay a one-off, annual charge, will be implemented from April 2023.

However, some of the wording around this is rather ambiguous; ‘The intention is…’, ‘Subject to consultation with all relevant representative bodies…’.

We look forward to clarification.

Mariella Frostrup says: I embrace the fact that women aren’t going to have to decide between feeding their families and using HRT, but we’ve yet to see this change.

The mood music is that they’re going to implement it in April, but we’re unaware that they’ve consulted manufacturers, distributors and official bodies. I very much hope that it’s not going to be delayed.

Menopause Mandate expert Thorrun Govind, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society: 'We are disappointed that it is taking so long for this PPC to be introduced, and hope that it will finally happen in April.

'Given health inequalities have further widened with the pandemic and the cost of living is biting, we continue to campaign for free prescriptions for all in England.'

For more information contact

laura.biggs@intuitiveevents.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Menopause Mandate Ltd, Company Number 14344215 is a not for profit company limited by guarantee set up for purpose and not profit.

EDUCATION FOR ALL
In 2021 Menopause Support revealed that 41% of UK medical schools don't have mandatory menopause education on their curriculum.

We say: Health professionals aren't adequately educated, and women aren't given routine consultations about the subject. The right training for health professionals means the right solutions and treatments will be offered. Women deserve up to date advice before they reach perimenopause so that they can make the right choices and lifestyle changes. There are only 118 menopause clinics recognised by the British Menopause Society.

2. STOP THE SCAREMONGERING
The official stance of the British Menopause Society is that for most women the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.

We say: HRT is recommended by NICE as a first line and proven treatment for menopause symptoms. Evidence is clear that HRT begun before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the menopause is likely to be associated with a reduction in coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and cardiovascular mortality. Women who take HRT also have a lower future risk of type 2 diabetes, clinical depression, obesity, dementia and colon cancer.

3. PRESCRIBING RIGHT
Stats from the Nuffield Health Group revealed that just over a quarter of women who visited a GP said the possibility of their symptoms being menopause wasn't addressed. Only one in five was prescribed HRT.

We say: When women seek advice they are frequently dismissed or not offered first line treatment as per NICE guidance. In some parts of the country as few as one in ten women are taking HRT. For those who do not wish to or cannot take HRT, other options such as SSRI/SRNI antidepressants, Clonidine, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, yoga and acupuncture need to be explained and be available.

4. AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HRT
HRT should be free in England as it is in Scotland and Wales. Refusing to urgently reduce the cost means that there is socioeconomic discrimination when it comes to menopause provision. Many women can't afford a regular prescription.

We say: HRT isn't a luxury and it ought to be available for all who wish to use it especially those who go through Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, Surgical or Chemical Menopause, who need HRT. Many women are already having to choose between heating and eating. Paying prescription charges simply isn't possible for thousands of women, even with an Annual Prepayment Certificate.

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