Menopause Workplace Support 2023-11-13
2023-11-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about inadequate workplace support for women during the menopause.
What steps his Department is taking to help improve workplace support for women experiencing the menopause?
We take the challenges of the menopause very seriously, which is why the Government appointed Helen Tomlinson as the menopause employment champion for England. In terms of progress, I point my hon. Friend to the report, “No Time to Step Back”.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps being taken by the department beyond mentioning a champion and a report.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
In Devon, there is extensive work to improve access to menopause services. However, support for women in the workplace remains lacking.
What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to raise menopause awareness among employers?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for his extensive work as my constituency neighbour, pushing for proper support in all GP practices across the county. We lead by example: 64% of the Department's staff are female and we have a menopause and workplace policy, which sees 350 menopause ambassadors across our DWP network.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps to raise awareness among employers beyond highlighting internal policies.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A significant number of women in the UK have quit their jobs due to menopause symptoms. Flexible work can help manage these symptoms and reduce economic inactivity.
What conversations have taken place between Cabinet colleagues on removing the onus on employees to request flexible working and instead ensuring that that is provided as a day one right, by default?
The hon. Lady's question is best directed to the Department for Business and Trade rather than DWP, as it relates to employment legislation and regulation. However, I am pleased to tell her that we have our 50PLUS champions, work coaches in our jobcentres, the Midlife MOT and many other measures that are there to help exactly the people she describes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not answer about conversations on employment legislation but instead directed the question elsewhere and mentioned unrelated measures.
Directing The Question To Another Department
Response accuracy