We have launched a new campaign to call for better support for those with endometriosis in the workplace.
One in six people with endometriosis have to leave the workplace and is a condition that costs the economy £8.2 billion per year in loss of work and healthcare costs.
This is unacceptable- nobody should face discrimination at work or risk losing their job because of their endometriosis, and we’re determined to work with the Government to ensure they protect those with menstrual health conditions in the new Bill.
Earlier this month, the Government introduced an Employment Rights Bill that aims to cut down on unfair working practices. Endometriosis UK welcomes the Bill, including measures to support those going through the menopause. But the Bill must go further to ensure measures are introduced to ensure those with endometriosis have the support and protections they need in the workplace.
Over the coming weeks and months, Endometriosis UK will be lobbying for changes to the Employment Rights Bill to ensure all those with menstrual health conditions, including endometriosis, have access to the support they need at work. We would like to see:
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Menopause action plans extended to all those impacted by menstrual health conditions including endometriosis
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Legislation to ensure workers with menstrual health conditions are treated fairly if they need short but intermittent time off work, as a result of their condition.
The Bill is due to receive its second reading in the House of Commons this afternoon (Monday 21st October 2024).
You can support the campaign by emailing your MP. Our easy-to-use template will generate an email to your MP using your postcode.
Click here to take action today- it takes two minutes!
For further information on the Bill and how it could affect you, download our Supporter Briefing
We will be following each stage of the Bill closely and campaigning to ensure those with menstrual health conditions including endometriosis are heard. Please keep an eye on our website and social media for updates on the Bill and how you can get involved.
How the Bill will become law
This section provides information on how the Bill will become law.
A Government Bill can take months, even years, before it becomes law and comes into practice.
A bill is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law. Bills are introduced by the Government or by an MP and are then debated and voted on across the House of Commons (by MPs) and by the House of Lords.
There are three types of Bills- Public Bills, Private Bills and Hybrid Bills- and they all have different procedures that must be followed before they can become law. The Employment Rights Bill was introduced by the Government and is a Public Bill.
A Public Bill must go through ten steps (five steps in each House of Parliament) to become law- five in the House of Commons, and five in the House of Lords.
Step 1: First Reading
The First Reading of the Employment Rights Bill was held on 10th October 2024 in the House of Commons. This stage is the first official reading of the Bill. This is when the full text of the Bill is made public, but it is just a procedural event- no voting or changes to the Bill can happen at this stage.
Step 2: Second Reading (Happening today, 21st October)
At this stage, the Bill can now be debated. As the Employment Bill was introduced by the Government, Minister for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds will open the debate this afternoon and then other Ministers and MPs will have the opportunity to make their points about the proposed legislation.
Details of the Bill can’t be changed at this stage, but MPs can introduce an amendment (a change) opposing the Bill, which, if chosen, will be voted on before the vote on the Second Reading.
If the Bill is defeated at this stage during the vote, it cannot be re-introduced during the same parliamentary session, but this is rare as most bills pass this stage.
Step 3: Committee Stage
The Committee Stage is usually the longest stage in this process as this is where the most thorough scrutiny happens. Most bills are referred to a public bill committee, but there are different ways the Government scrutinise bills, click here to read more about this process.
MPs work through the bill clause-by-clause and can take evidence from key stakeholders, like Endometriosis UK. Each clause must be agreed to, changed or removed and new clauses may be proposed and agreed to.
Step 4: Report Stage
This stage usually happens two weeks after committee stage. In the Report Stage, the bill is debated again in the House of Commons. All MPs can propose amendments or new clauses to the bill, and the Speaker of the House (the person in charge) decides which ones are discussed and voted on.
Step 5: Third Reading
This is the last step the bill takes in the House of Commons, and the last opportunity to make changes to it. It usually happens on the same day the Report Stage ends and involves MPs and Ministers congratulating those that have worked on the bill.
MPs then vote whether to approve the bill, but bills that make it to this stage are rarely defeated.
House of Lords
The same steps are followed in the House of Lords, with a few key differences:
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There is no time limit on the debate of the bill.
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During the Committee Stage, bills are usually debated in the House of Lords so all members can take part, rather than in a bill committee.
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At Third Reading, a bill can be amended if they focus on something that has not been voted on at a previous stage.
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If a bill that was introduced in the House of Commons gets voted down in the House of Lords, then it falls. However, money bills can move on to the next stage without the agreement from the House of Lords.
Consideration of amendments:
Bills go back and forth between the House or Lords and the House of Commons until both Houses have no more changes to make. If a deadlock is reached, the bill falls.
Royal assent:
This is the final stage of a bill. Once both Houses agree to it, it goes to the monarch who will then officially agree to make the bill an act of parliament. If the Employment Rights Bill gets through the previous stages, then King Charles will be the monarch that makes the Bill an act of parliament
