In July 2021, The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee launched an inquiry into workplace issues surrounding the menopause. The inquiry is examining existing discrimination legislation and workplace practices in order to consider whether enough is being done to prevent women from leaving their jobs as a result of menopausal symptoms or suffering other adverse consequences. Last week, the chair of the Committee declined to rule out the possibility of recommending a change to the Equality Act 2010 in order to strengthen protection for menopausal women who suffer discrimination at work. Some responses to the inquiry have indicated that menopausal women do not feel that they have adequate legal protection due to the lack of clarity in the legislation, leading many to bring claims for disability discrimination. Menopause discrimination is not listed under the Equality Act 2010 and can only be covered under the protected characteristics of age, sex and disability discrimination. The Committee may seek to change the Equality Act 2010 to recognise menopause as a protected characteristic, if the outcome of the inquiry shows that the current legislation is not working.
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