Labour promises menopause support guidance for small businesses

Anneliese Dodds MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, reiterated at the Labour Party conference that a forthcoming Labour government would introduce guidance for small businesses to better support employees experiencing the menopause.

Ms Dodds said that the aim would be to encourage more women to remain in work and that:

“With the right support we can unleash the talent and creativity of women across our country. That’s good for women. Good for business. And good for the economy too.”

Examples of supportive measures could include managing workplace temperatures and being open to flexible working.

Expanding on their commitment to address this significant workplace challenge, Labour has already pledged to require larger employers to publish a ‘menopause action plan’. This decision followed a report by the Fawcett Society, which suggested that about 10% of women aged 45–55 opted out of their roles in the previous year citing menopausal symptoms as the main reason.

Labour’s commitment to prioritising the well-being of women in the workplace underlines the party’s current focus on inclusivity and the belief in the essential role of women in the economy.

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