The debate over whether menopause should be considered a disability or a natural life stage has been sparked by recent warnings from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Employers are being urged to make reasonable adjustments for menopausal employees experiencing serious symptoms to avoid potential disability discrimination lawsuits.
Three-quarters of HR benefit managers say they discuss menopause-related issues with employees; just 3 per cent of women employees say they have talked about menopause with HR.
Perimenopause and menopause are triggered by declining progesterone and oestrogen levels, typically experienced by women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.Increasing numbers of employers are offering help through menopausal ambassadors, apps and professionals who can give advice on hormone replacement therapy , and help to identify and alleviate symptoms that include brain fog, hot flushes and sleeplessness.
Some employers offer healthcare advisers who can prescribe HRT; Timpson, the UK retailer, reimburses staff for it. Tesco allows time off for symptoms outside sick leave calculations. Bank of Ireland offers up to 10 days’ menopause leave. It also highlighted the gulf between the 76 per cent of HR benefit managers who say they discuss menopause-related issues with employees and the 3 per cent of women employees who say they have talked about menopause with HR.
Menopause Disability Natural Life Stage Equality And Human Rights Commission Reasonable Adjustments Symptoms Discrimination
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