Labour pledges paid time off and workplace support for menopause

theguardian.com:

Menopausal women could be offered paid time off and working environments with temperature-controlled areas under Labour plans to support the wellbeing of women in the workplace.

About one in 10 women aged 45-55 left their jobs last year due to their symptoms and ultimately the lack of workplace support, according to research supported by the Fawcett Society.

In an effort to support women to stay or return to the workforce, Labour has pledged to bring in a requirement for large companies to publish and implement a “Menopause action plan” that sets out how they are supporting their employees experiencing menopausal symptoms.

The party plans to release government guidance, advising employers on the best ways to help their employees. Working women could also be offered alterations to their uniform to help manage menopausal symptoms.

Angela Rayner, the party’s deputy leader, said the policy was a “simple and effective way” to “improve productivity, keep more people in work and ultimately grow our economy for all”. Anneliese Dodds, the shadow women and equalities secretary, hailed the move as a “vital step forward” as the Conservatives “have vacated the field on supporting women”.

Employers will be required to submit their action plans to an existing government portal used for gender pay gap reporting.

Starmer’s plans go a step further than those presented under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership in 2019. Three years ago, Labour offered women flexible working hours and a requirement for employers to treat the menopause like a long-term fluctuating health condition.

Other changes suggested at the time included training managers about how the menopause can affect women, and what assistance they might need, as well as workplace facilities such