22/02/2024
As a woman who is perimenopausal and as a coach specialising in women’s fitness and menopause education, I am in two minds about the guidance issued today by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
While I welcome that employers now have to make “reasonable adjustments” for women who are negatively and substantially affected by their symptoms, it doesn’t address the real issue that many women still cannot access the HRT that can not only help alleviate their symptoms but also protect them against diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
What is needed is more education around the menopause for women, their loved ones, employers and even those in the medical profession (as I have clients whose doctors are still refusing to prescribe HRT). With education comes power and the knowledge to make the best decisions for yourself at what can be a challenging time. It also lessens the taboo and stereotypes that still surround the menopause enabling women to speak openly to their employers about what support they may need and for their employers to understand how adjustments in the workplace can make a huge difference.
It is only when we can all speak openly about the menopause and women can access HRT (if they are able to take it) that we can avoid the current statistic of 1 in 10 women being forced to leave work due to their symptoms.
I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts on this news story 🩷
