Petition · past parliament
Recognise menopause in the workplace regarding 'Protected Characteristics'
Rejected
19 signatures
What the petition asks
This petition has been created to address menopause within the workplace, implications to an individual, further and wider impacts. Having an effective policy which is fair and supportive by including what measures a company will put in place to help an employee who is suffering.
The symptoms of menopause vary greatly and in severity between females, they can last anything from 3 – 15+ years and the impact upon an individual can be disabling which can affect the biopsychosocial aspects of our lives, this in turn can have implications upon our work, pressures from colleagues or managers and can further impact negatively upon our performance when not fully supported or treated with an expected duty of care.
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.
The Equality Act provides people with protection from discrimination on the grounds of sex and age, which can apply to an employer's treatment of a menopausal worker.
The Equality Act doesn't list medical conditions. In most cases, it’s the impact that a health condition has on the person’s life that qualifies them for support or protection under the law.
You can find out more about sex discrimination here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/discrimination-because-of-sex-or-sexual-orientation/discrimination-because-of-sex/
You can find out more about showing that you're disabled under the Equality Act here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/protected-characteristics/showing-you-re-disabled-under-the-equality-act/
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do. For example, you could start a new petition asking the Government to issue guidance and fund an information campaign to make employers aware of their duties to menopausal workers.
The Equality Act provides people with protection from discrimination on the grounds of sex and age, which can apply to an employer's treatment of a menopausal worker.
The Equality Act doesn't list medical conditions. In most cases, it’s the impact that a health condition has on the person’s life that qualifies them for support or protection under the law.
You can find out more about sex discrimination here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/discrimination-because-of-sex-or-sexual-orientation/discrimination-because-of-sex/
You can find out more about showing that you're disabled under the Equality Act here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/protected-characteristics/showing-you-re-disabled-under-the-equality-act/
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do. For example, you could start a new petition asking the Government to issue guidance and fund an information campaign to make employers aware of their duties to menopausal workers.
Timeline
| 24 Mar 2018 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 Apr 2018 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
19
Status
Rejected
Rejected
6 Apr 2018
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.