Revise menopause policies or face lawsuits, employers warned
Women who feel they have been discriminated against at work on the grounds of the menopause are seeking legal action in much higher numbers, according to recent HM Courts and Tribunals Service figures. Over the last four years, Employment Tribunals referencing menopause have almost doubled.
This comes at a time when menopausal women are the fastest growing working demographic in the UK, according to The Times. Women are growing in confidence when it comes to demanding employers cater for the needs of those experiencing the side effects of the menopause, pushing their organisations to find ways to make sure the condition does not seriously affect their ability to continue working.
According to consultancy Menopause Experts, menopause was featured 116 times in Employment Tribunals in the first six months of 2021 alone, with that expected to increase to 232, should the rate continue as it is.
Direct discrimination is where an employee is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic, so in the case of menopause, it is likely to be disability, sex or age.
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