Let's Talk About the Menopause at Work

Our Let’s Talk About the Menopause at Work campaign has now officially ended. Together with our members, reps and supporters across the UK, we helped transform how menopause is understood and addressed in the workplace.

Around 13 million people in the UK are currently experiencing menopause, and 8 in 10 are in work. That is why this has always been a vital issue for Community. With your support, we broke the silence, challenged taboos and, most importantly, delivered real change for our members. Over the course of the campaign, we helped in securing several wins for people experiencing menopause, including:

• Stronger legal protections: We engaged with official Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance, published in February 2024, which confirmed that severe menopause symptoms can amount to a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and require employers to make reasonable adjustments.
• Cheaper access to treatment: We helped support the introduction of the HRT Pre-Payment Certificate in England in April 2023, limiting annual prescription costs for essential treatment.
• Better workplace support: We gave members and reps the resources and knowledge to negotiate menopause policies, flexible working and reasonable adjustments across every sector.
• Reduced stigma in workplace culture: We encouraged members, reps and employers to make conversations about menopause more normal, helping workers seek support without fear or embarrassment.
• Appointment of a Menopause Employment Ambassador: In March 2023, the UK government appointed a dedicated Menopause Employment Ambassador to work with business leaders, support the retention of menopausal employees and promote better workplace practices.
• Updated guidelines: In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its clinical guidelines with clearer recommendations on HRT prescribing, symptom management and long-term health risks.

Although this phase of the campaign has ended, our fight for fair, safe and inclusive workplaces continues. The campaign has helped shape Supporting Her Together, our work to secure stronger reproductive rights.