Endometriosis UK launches new campaign to improve rights for those with endometriosis in the workplace
Endometriosis UK has launched a new campaign to improve the rights of those with endometriosis in the workplace.
This follows the Governments’ unveiling of a new Employment Rights Bill, that aims to end unfair practices in the workplace.
Endometriosis UK welcomes the new Employment Rights Bill, including measures to support those going through the menopause. But the Bill must go further to ensure measures are introduced to support and protect those with endometriosis 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. The charity is calling on MPs to support an amendment to the Bill, and would like to see:
- Menopause action plans extended to all those impacted by menstrual health conditions including endometriosis
- 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.
We would also like to see changes to absence measurement points systems 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. This could include recording types of absence separately for those with long-term menstrual health conditions.
Commenting on the campaign, Head of Communications at Endometriosis UK Faye Farthing said: “With one in six people with endometriosis having to leave the workplace and the condition costing the economy £8.2 billion per year in loss of work and healthcare costs, this is something the Government cannot afford to ignore.
“The Employment Rights Bill is a welcomed moment for the 1.5million women and those assigned female at birth with endometriosis, who all too often face unfair and discriminatory practices in the workplace. We are pleased to see the introduction of menopause action plans, as well as measures to improve access to Statutory Sick Pay by removing the Lower Earnings Limit and waiting period, and strengthening rights on flexible working requests.
We hear far too often from those with endometriosis who are not afforded the support they need to thrive and remain in the workplace. If the Government are to commit to retaining women and those assigned female at birth with endometriosis in the workplace, they must go further and amend the Bill to stamp out unscrupulous and discriminatory working practices that are unfairly forcing those with the condition out of the workplace”.
ENDS
Click here for more information on the campaign or email communications@endometriosis-uk.org
