Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Endometriosis: Workplace Rights

Wednesday 11 March 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Employment Rights Act 2025 includes measures to support women with endometriosis by improving access to flexible working and changing statutory sick pay.
  • Employer action plans have been launched to address gender pay gaps and support women facing gynaecological issues, including endometriosis and menopause.
  • Clear guidance on reasonable adjustments for employers regarding endometriosis and other gynaecological issues is being developed to support women in the workplace.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elsie Blundell Lab Heywood and Middleton North
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

Approximately 1.5 million women in the UK live with endometriosis, often taking over nine years to receive a diagnosis. The delay in diagnosis can significantly affect women's careers.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help protect the rights of women with endometriosis in the workplace. I am concerned about the challenges faced by women with endometriosis in the workplace, often leading to them having to curtail their ambitions or leave employment entirely. Workplaces are not putting in place proper protections for these women, who deserve better support.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

We are taking action to ensure earlier diagnosis and medical support for women with endometriosis. The Employment Rights Act 2025 includes measures to support women in managing the condition at work, such as improving access to flexible working and changes to statutory sick pay. We have also launched employer action plans to open up conversations about women's health.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific guidance for employers on reasonable adjustments for endometriosis and other gynaecological issues

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Elsie Blundell Lab Heywood and Middleton North
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

Approximately 1.5 million women in the UK live with endometriosis, often taking over nine years to receive a diagnosis. The delay in diagnosis can significantly affect women's careers.

Question

Many women across the country living with endometriosis are forced to withstand immense challenges in the workplace, often culminating in them having to curtail their ambitions or leave employment entirely. That is because some workplaces are not putting in place proper protections to support working women, who frankly deserve better. What steps are therefore being taken, in consultation with the Department for Business and Trade, to ensure that our workplaces do not lose out on the immeasurable contribution that these brave women can make?

Answer from Seema Malhotra

Workplaces cannot afford to lose such talented women. As part of the Employment Rights Act, we are improving access to flexible working, making changes to statutory sick pay, and opening up conversations about women's health through the employer action plans launched last week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific guidance for employers on reasonable adjustments for endometriosis and other gynaecological issues

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

One in 10 women in the UK suffer from endometriosis, which can significantly affect their ability to work.

Question

What plans does the Minister have to ensure that employers have clear guidance about the reasonable adjustments that they should be offering, not just for endometriosis but for all gynaecological issues that impact women's work?

Answer from Seema Malhotra

The action plans launched last week aim to tackle gender pay gaps and support women with the menopause, facilitating conversations about women's health and how women can receive vital support in the workplace.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific guidance for employers on reasonable adjustments for endometriosis and other gynaecological issues

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email