Last night (15th January 2025) MPs debated the impact of endometriosis in the workplace in the House of Commons and the Secondary Care Minister, Karin Smyth MP recognised that “Women with endometriosis have been failed for far too long”.
One in six people with endometriosis have to leave the workplace due to their condition [1]. This is unacceptable and Endometriosis UK want to see both Governments and employers take action to protect those with endometriosis from unfair practices in the workplace. Endometriosis costs the UK economy £8.2 billion per year in loss of work and healthcare costs [2].
Gill Furniss MP, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, tabled the debate so MP’s from across the UK were able to discuss the issues. She covered a full range of issues facing employees with endometriosis, from the time-off work needed for symptoms and appointments, to long diagnosis times, to the need for more research into finding a cure. She asked the Government to make changes to the Employment Rights Bill and wanted to hear an update on next steps for the women’s health strategy.
Catherine Atkinson MP spoke up passionately for the many women she met from the Endometriosis UK Support Group in Derby who had had to leave their jobs and were facing unacceptable delays in getting treatment.
Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Endometriosis, Bell Riberio-Addy MP shared findings from Endometriosis UK’s diagnosis report “’dismissed, belittled and ignored”. She highlighted the need for more Endometriosis Friendly Employers who were understanding when time off work is needed for appointments and urged action to drive down the long diagnosis times.
The need for greater awareness and education from an early age was raised by Vice-Chair of the APPG Endometriosis, Alec Shelbrooke MP. Other MPs that spoke up included Jim Shannon MP who shared a story of one of his staffers who has the condition, Alice Macdonald MP who raised the issue of fertility leave, and Kirsteen Sullivan MP who praised our Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme and the work of West Lothian Warriors.
Minister Karin Smyth MP responded to the debate from Government, recognising that those with endometriosis have been failed for far too long. She outlined a number of steps that the Government have started to take to improve things but acknowledged that much more was needed.
Endometriosis UK would like to thank all the MPs who spoke up for the endometriosis community. We will be continuing to push the Government to take action, and to agree to include menstrual health action plans in the Employment Rights Bill. We will share updates via our website and social channels, so supporters can get involved and take action.
Debate can be viewed here and starts at 19:05 https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/74e0523e-f34a-4418-8253-5052f4b88699
2. Simoens S, Dunselman G, Dirksen C, et al (2012) The burden of endometriosis: costs and quality of life of women with endometriosis and treated in referral centres. Hum Reprod 2012;27(5):1292-9
