Is menopause covered by Equality Act?

Under the Equality Act 2010, menopause discrimination is largely covered under three protected characteristics: age, sex and disability discrimination. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides for safe working, which extends to the working conditions when experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Is the menopause classed as a disability?

Menopause, of itself, is not a disability. However, severe symptoms of menopause may constitute disabilities, triggering the obligation to make reasonable adjustments and protection from less favourable treatment.

Is menopause a protected characteristic?

Under the Equality Act 2010, menopause is largely covered under three protected characteristics: age, sex and disability discrimination. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides for safe working, which extends to the working conditions when experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Is it law to have a menopause policy?

There is no legal requirement to have a menopause policy or to protect employees experiencing menopause symptoms. Nor is there legal protection for businesses that experience undue impact because an employee’s menopause symptoms are affecting their ability to work.

Can menopause cause a mental breakdown?

Some studies point to the mood-enhancing effects of the hormone, which implies that lower levels of it may lead to feelings of depression. In fact, one study showed that women are two to four times more likely to experience a major depressive episode during menopause than at other times in their lives.

Can menopause stop you working?

In addition to the classical symptoms of hot flushes and mood swings, menopausal symptoms can affect confidence, concentration, energy and ability which can negatively affect work performance. Up to 10% of women actually stop work altogether because of their severe menopausal symptoms.

Can menopause affect your work?

Studies have shown that menopause symptoms can have a significant impact on attendance and performance in the workplace, with some women being misdiagnosed as suffering from mental ill-health or other conditions, and the impact on their work can be wrongly identified as a performance issue.