New Guidelines to Aid Employers with Menopause Management in the Workplace

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Menopause Guidance

In a key move to create a more supportive work environment, new resources have been launched to help employers understand and meet their legal duties regarding employees going through menopause. This is particularly really important in the health and social care sector, which mainly employs women—many of whom are at the typical age for experiencing menopausal symptoms.

The guidelines explain how symptoms related to menopause and perimenopause can affect people at work. A 2023 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) of employed UK women aged 40 to 60 found that two-thirds of those with menopause symptoms said the effects on them at work were mostly negative. For information on menopause symptoms, see the NHS menopause pages.

Menopause is not a protected characteristic in its own right. Some people may be protected as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 (which applies in England, Scotland and Wales) if symptoms have a substantial and long-term effect on day-to-day activities. Employers must not discriminate because of protected characteristics such as age, sex or disability and, where someone is disabled, must make reasonable adjustments. See the Acas guidance on menopause and the law. Employers also have a general legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work: see section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Included in these new resources are explanatory videos covering legal obligations, ways to support workers with adjustments, and encouraging open conversations about menopause. These tools are especially relevant for health and social care providers where empathetic management of menopausal effects is important for staff wellbeing and retention.

Supported by various bodies, including the Chartered Management Institute and The Menopause Charity, these guidelines not only aim to safeguard employees but also foster an inclusive workplace culture.

Healthcare employers are encouraged to use these materials to support their teams, and should check the current Acas guidance on menopause and the law.

For further details or access resources such as videos or feedback surveys, please visit official resource page.

Care Learning Team

Our team brings more than 15 years' combined experience across the NHS, adult social care, mental health services, and the charity sector. We specialise in training design, compliance, e-learning development, and resource creation. We regularly update our materials using guidance from CQC, NICE, and other UK health and social care bodies, delivering practical, evidence-based insights that support professional workforce development and regulatory standards.