Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Menopause: Workplace Support

Wednesday 20 March 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government appointed Helen Tomlinson as the first menopause employment champion in March 2023.
  • The Government is working with employers to increase awareness and develop policies to support women experiencing menopause at work.
  • The Minister expressed delight over the work on international standards for menopause in the workplace and acknowledged a roundtable discussion at Gower College.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the need to support women in the workplace who are going through menopause. It references a recently appointed Government employment champion.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to help support women experiencing menopause at work?

Answer from Mims Davies

In March 2023, I appointed Helen Tomlinson as the Government's first menopause employment champion. We are working across Government and with employers to increase awareness and develop policies to support women experiencing the impact of menopause at work. We recently launched new guidance on the Help to Grow portal to empower businesses to educate their organisation about menopause.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or funding details not provided

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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Women & Equalities
Context

The introduction of a British standard on menstruation, menstrual health, and menopause at work was noted along with an international version being developed by ISO.

Question

Last July, we saw the introduction of the British Standards Institution standard on menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace. Earlier this month, the International Organisation for Standardisation voted to develop an international version. Will the Minister join me in congratulating the BSI, countless grassroots organisations, individuals including my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea East (Carolyn Harris), and the menopause all-party parliamentary group, who have all worked tirelessly to ensure that menopausal women in this country are given the support that they so deserve?

Answer from Mims Davies

I am absolutely delighted to welcome all of that work. I also welcome the fact that the hon. Member for Swansea East (Carolyn Harris) was able to join us in a roundtable discussion at Gower College. In fact, Jane from the BSI was one of a number of women to join our first menopause roundtable for International Women's Day at No. 10, where we celebrated the BSI and its international achievements. Helen Tomlinson, too, has been recognised internationally.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or policies not provided

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