MSP calls for increased rollout of menopause workplace policies
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin raised the scale of the amount of women leaving employment through lack of support during the menopause.
She asked the Minister for Women’s Health if workplaces can be better informed of the menopause and if meaningful policies can be put in place.
This question came after Ms Martin asked the minister for an update on the development of a Menopause Specialist Network.
The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health, and Sport, Maree Todd said: “The action in the women’s health plan to develop a national Menopause Specialist Network has been completed.
"The network has been meeting since 2021 to provide consistent advice, peer support, and share good practice amongst health care professionals including primary care teams.
"The network meets on a quarterly basis and includes representatives from all mainland NHS boards.”
In her follow up question, Ms Martin said: “It was recently estimated that, in the United Kingdom, during an undefined period, more than 900,000 employees left their jobs because of the impact of menopause symptoms.
"In addition to better clinical support for women during menopause, better understanding and support is needed in workplaces.
"Could some work be done within the women’s health brief to better inform workplaces on the menopause and get meaningful policies in place?
"Perhaps that could start with our NHS—after all, it employs many women whom we cannot afford to lose from the workplace.
The Minister responded:
“Menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce, so it is now more important than ever to speak openly about the menopause at work.
"Through the women’s health plan, we are developing support for employers and those who experience symptoms of the menopause.
"That work includes a menopause and menstrual health workplace policy for NHS Scotland as an example of best practice to promote across the public, private and third sectors.”
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said: “I have been calling for more to be done around workplace policies to support employees going through the menopause for some time now.
"It is crucial that women who are experiencing the menopause have effective support in place and that they are treated sensitively and seriously.
"I am pleased to know that work is under way in the Scottish Government to develop support for employers and those going through menopause, with a menopause workplace policy for NHS Scotland to serve as an example of best practice. I look forward to learning more details as they become available.”
