I’m not sure menopause should be treated as a protected characteristic in employment. I can only see it being used as another potential derailer in our search for inclusion and employment. Better to train medical professionals and all women in the symptoms and treatment so it can be dealt with before it becomes an issue.
Of course I am keen for women to be supported by their employers through menopause - we lose so much talent. But, Eleanor you raise some important points and, as an employment lawyer, I’m not convinced we need menopause as a protected characteristic - if you are treated less favourably because of your symptoms you are protected by existing anti sex and age discrimination legislation and in certain situations disability legislation. That said an entitlement to require employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ eg such as providing a fan or supplying uniforms made from natural fibres (which currently only attaches if you satisfy the legal definition of disability) could be a really positive way forward.
Well said, Eleanor. My thoughts: before we add another protected characteristic (and there are pros and cons for that) let’s get the existing law against age discrimination working properly
I’m not sure menopause should be treated as a protected characteristic in employment. I can only see it being used as another potential derailer in our search for inclusion and employment. Better to train medical professionals and all women in the symptoms and treatment so it can be dealt with before it becomes an issue.
Of course I am keen for women to be supported by their employers through menopause - we lose so much talent. But, Eleanor you raise some important points and, as an employment lawyer, I’m not convinced we need menopause as a protected characteristic - if you are treated less favourably because of your symptoms you are protected by existing anti sex and age discrimination legislation and in certain situations disability legislation. That said an entitlement to require employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ eg such as providing a fan or supplying uniforms made from natural fibres (which currently only attaches if you satisfy the legal definition of disability) could be a really positive way forward.
Well said, Eleanor. My thoughts: before we add another protected characteristic (and there are pros and cons for that) let’s get the existing law against age discrimination working properly
I was so surprised to see that after I turned 40+, probably also because I never married, but people started to view me differently.
Another scathing criticism, but it is of vital importance to us. That can really women labourers also.