The Home Office has issued an update to Parliament on measures being taken to support millions of women navigating the menopause in the workplace. The British Menopause Society has warned that menopausal symptoms can make working life considerably harder, yet many women remain reluctant to disclose this to their employers.
It has warned: "Many women have said that they often find managing their menopause symptoms in the workplace very challenging. Coping with symptoms in the workplace can be hard, especially as many women find it difficult to talk about menopause at work."
A survey of 1,000 women revealed that 45% felt menopausal symptoms had a detrimental effect on their performance at work, while 47% of those who had taken time off due to menopause-related symptoms admitted they would not disclose the true reason to their employer.
Government measures outlined
In a response published this month, the government said it had launched plans for large firms to improve menopause support and address their gender pay gaps, published guidance for employers over menopause training for managers and other issues, and published menopause guidance online for companies, offering advice on issues such as workplace temperature control and uniforms.
It also offered better access to flexible working in new laws passed in the UK, offered better statutory sick pay, and made the appointment of a Women's Employment Ambassador - TV celebrity Mariella Frostrup.
Scale of the issue
NHS England says nearly eight in ten menopausal women are currently in employment. The menopause is a natural part of the ageing process and in the UK the average age at which it occurs is 51. However, approximately one in 100 people experience the menopause before reaching the age of 40.
It is estimated that around 13 million women in the UK are currently peri- or menopausal - equivalent to a third of the entire female population in the UK.
Minister's statement
Satvir Kaur, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Home Office, has this month provided Parliament with an update on the issue. She said: "Effective workplace support for menopause symptoms is crucial not only for employee wellbeing, but also for ensuring employers can retain valuable skills and experience.
"The Government is implementing a variety of initiatives to support employers and employees to manage menopause symptoms in the workplace.
"This spring, we launched voluntary action plans for large employers to improve menopause support and address their gender pay gaps. We have published step-by-step guidance, including a list of evidence-informed actions, such as menopause training for managers, transparent, flexible working policies and tailored workplace adjustments.
"As part of the plan to Make Work Pay, menopause guidance, including for small employers, has been published on the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) website, covering practical measures such as uniform adaptations, workplace temperature control and recording menopause-related absence.
"Other measures have been introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025 to build more supportive workplace environments, including improved access to flexible working and enhanced Statutory Sick Pay.
"Furthermore, Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as Women's Employment Ambassador, building on her progress as the Menopause Employment Ambassador, while broadening the remit to address wider health-related workplace barriers facing women."
Symptoms and guidance
The NHS says that perimenopause and menopause are experienced differently by every woman. Some women may encounter symptoms that significantly affect their daily lives, including relationships, social life, family life and work, while others may experience very few symptoms at all.
The NHS website says: "Symptoms can happen during perimenopause and menopause. They can also happen after your menopause has ended (post menopause).
"Sometimes, ethnic background can affect symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, how severe they are and how long they last. For example, women from a Black ethnic background are more likely to have hot flushes that are severe and continue longer."
Symptoms can include weight gain, hot flushes and night sweats, vaginal problems, sleep problems, changes to your periods, mood changes, poor memory and brain fog, and UTIs (urinary tract infections). There are further symptoms that women may experience, with more information available on the dedicated NHS web page on the subject.
