The bosses have been warned that they could be in violation of the equality laws if they don’t allow menopausal woman to wear cooler uniforms and work at home on hot summer days.
Human rights watchdogs also say that women who suffer from hot flashes or “brain fog” should have quiet rooms in which to rest and fans or air conditioning at their workplaces.
In its first guideline on the subject, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has advised employers to make accommodations for female employees who have severe symptoms just like they do for disabled people.
If they punish staff who are sick, they could be guilty of age or sex discrimination. It may be harassment if they make fun of women’s problems.
EHRC claims that managers will lose valuable employees and hundreds of thousands of pounds defending such claims.
The bosses have been warned that they could be breaking the law if they don’t allow menopausal workers to work from home and wear cooler uniforms on hot days. Pictured: A woman with a hot flash
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued its first guidance to employers on this topic. It says that they should make allowances for women who have severe symptoms. Pictured: A woman in her middle age.
Last night, Baroness Falkner, the chairman of the committee said: “We are concerned by how many women claim to have been forced to leave a job due to menopause symptoms as well as how many do not feel secure enough to ask for workplace adjustments.
“Equality in the workplace is based on employers understanding their legal obligations. It is evident that many employers may not understand their responsibilities to protect staff who are going through menopause.
Our new guidance outlines these legal obligations and offers advice to employers on how best to support their employees.
We hope this guide will help ensure that every woman experiencing menopause receives fair treatment and is able to work in an environment of support and safety.
The EHRC cites a study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which found that two-thirds of women between 40 and 60 years old said menopausal effects had negatively impacted their work, reducing their concentration, increasing stress and making them less able perform tasks.
The Fawcett Society conducted a separate study that found one out of ten women quit their job because they were unable to work at times.
The UK Menopause Taskforce was established by the UK Government to improve the access to treatment. A Menopause Employment Champions has been appointed to encourage employers to do more to help their staff.
The NHS has also promised to improve working conditions for its staff, while Labour pledged to grant menopausal woman the right to work at home as well as to pay for time off to attend health appointments.
The symptoms of half of the women have prevented them from going to work at times. Imaged: A file photo of a doctor and consultant
In a landmark Employment Tribunal Case that is currently awaiting judgement, social worker Maria Rooney alleges she was victimized and discriminated by Leicester City Council because of menopause symptoms. Judges have already ruled her symptoms, stress, and anxiety, were a disability under the Equality Act.
The EHRC has now, for the first, set forth the legal obligations for all employers, and provided them with advice on how they can accommodate menopausal employees.
The guidance reads: “Under the Equality Act 2010 workers are protected against discrimination, harassment, and victimisation based on protected characteristics such as disability, age, and sex.”
If menopause symptoms are severe and have an impact on the ability of a woman to perform her normal daily activities, they could be considered as a disability.
If menopause symptoms are deemed a disability by the employer, they will have to make reasonable accommodations.
The report adds that employers are also legally required to assess their workplace risk.
Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee told The Mail that she hoped this advice would help. We know that too many women have been forced to leave their jobs due to menopause symptoms. Menopause should not be viewed as a disability. It can pass with the proper support and medication.
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