Resolution: Support for female employees

This resolution passed.

Many women (including those that identify as and were assigned female at birth) will consider reducing their hours or leaving work entirely when facing women’s health concerns. Over their lifespan, these could include fertility problems, painful periods, gynaecological issues, pregnancy and postnatal care and menopause.

Gynaecological problems, such as painful periods, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome affect many women in the UK. These women report reduced productivity and absence, while others are forced into part-time work, or are unable to work at all. Often women feel unable to disclose their conditions to their line manager due to stigma and a lack of awareness of the impact of these conditions. Research suggests that the support women may need to stay in work is not always accessible (Dudley, 2017).

Women also continue to encounter discriminatory experiences during pregnancy, maternity leave, and/or on their return, while some feel forced to leave due to lack of flexibility. This is even more evident where the woman has a pre-existing health condition, including heart conditions, diabetes and mental illness (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2016).

Data from Fertility Network UK (2021) highlighted 38% of employees considered leaving their roles while undergoing fertility treatment. The survey further revealed 90% experienced anxiety, stress and depression during this time. A ‘Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill’ (2022) is currently in progress, requiring employers to allow employees time off for fertility treatment appointments and for connected purposes.

Highly skilled women are also working longer; 66.8% of women aged 50-64 are in employment (Office for National Statistics, 2023). Yet many are leaving roles or reducing hours due to lack of support (Powell, 2021). The RCN has produced guidance on the menopause for members and RCN representatives.

The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (2022) published a report with recommendations for menopause and the workplace. However, the UK government’s response in January 2023 rejected five of the committee’s recommendations, including making menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and piloting a menopause leave policy in England.

In Northern Ireland, the HSC Business Services Organisation published a menopause at work policy in 2021 which recognised the impact of an ageing health and social care workforce that is 79% female. The policy sets out principles to ensure that those affected by the menopause are treated fairly and given appropriate, consistent support to retain an experienced workforce. 

The Scottish government published a Women's Health Plan in 2021 to encourage employers in the health and social care sector to address inequalities. Coinciding with the first progress report, a Women's Health Champion was appointed in January 2023.

A women and girls’ health plan is being developed by the Welsh government, and an All Wales menopause task and finish group has been set up to address issues surrounding inequitable access to menopause services for women across Wales, with recommendations being presented to the government.

Reading list for this debate available at rcn.libguides.com/congress2023.

References

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and The Equality and Human Rights Commission (2016) Pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination and disadvantage: summary of key findings. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/509500/BIS-16-145-pregnancy-and-maternity-related-discrimination-and-disadvantage-summary.pdf (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Department of Health and Social Care (2022) Policy paper: women’s health strategy for England. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/womens-health-strategy-for-england (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Dudley C, Kerns J and Steadman K (2017) More than “women’s issues”: women’s reproductive and gynaecological health and work. Available at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b2ca1c955b02cb43fbf85fe/t/5c7ea67df9619ad5a8accbd0/1551804029472/419_MoreThanWomensIssues.pdf (Accessed 13 March 2023).

House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (2022) Menopause and the workplace: first report of session 2022–22, HC91. Available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/23281/documents/169819/default/.

House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (2023) Menopause and the workplace: government response to the Committee’s first report of session 2022–2023. Fourth special report of session 2022–23, HC 1060. Available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/33631/documents/183795/default/ (Accessed 13 March 2023).

HSC Business Services Organisation (2021) Menopause at work policy. Available at: https://hscbusiness.hscni.net/pdf/Menopause at Work Policy (2021).pdf (Accessed 13 March 2023).

NHS Wales (2022) Women’s health in Wales: a discovery report: foundations for a women’s health plan: November 2022. Available at: https://collaborative.nhs.wales/implementation-groups/womens-health/ (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Office for National Statistics (2023) LFS: employment rate: UK: female: aged 50-64: %: SA. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/timeseries/lf2v/lms (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Parliament: House of Commons (2022) Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill (as introduced). Available at: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3235 (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Powell C (2021) Menopause is forcing women to retire early, government adviser warns. Available at: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1745183 (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Scottish Government (2021) Women’s health plan. Available at: http://www.gov.scot/publications/womens-health-plan/ (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Scottish Government (2023) Women’s health plan: a report on progress. Available at: http://www.gov.scot/publications/womens-health-plan-report-progress/ (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Additional information

British Menopause Society (2022) British Menopause Society factsheet: national survey - the results.

Fertility Network UK (no date)Over one-third of employees undergoing fertility treatment consider leaving their jobs, according to Fertility Network survey. Available at: https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/over-one-third-of-employees-undergoing-fertility-treatment-consider-leaving-their-jobs/ (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Maternity Action (no date). Available at: https://maternityaction.org.uk/ (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Pregnant Then Screwed (no date). Available at: https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/ (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Royal College of Nursing (2020) The menopause and work: guidance for RCN representatives. Available at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/rcn-menopause-and-work-uk-pub-009327 (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Royal College of Nursing (no date) Menopause. Available at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/Womens-health/Menopause (Accessed 13 March 2023).

Welsh Government (2023) All-Wales menopause task and finish group: final report, January 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.wales/all-wales-menopause-task-and-finish-group-final-report-january-2023-html (Accessed 13 March 2023).