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🌡 Menopause at Work

Menopause at Work in England, Wales and Scotland

When menopause symptoms could be a disability, reasonable adjustments, sex and age discrimination, and flexible working.

✅ Last verified: 24 September 2026 📚 Sources: listed at the end, each checked on the date shown 🇬🇧 England, Wales and Scotland

💬 Check your own situation

Describe what has happened. The checker answers only from this guide, plus what you tell it, and says so if something is not covered.

Check My Rights →

Who this guide is for

Workers in England, Wales or Scotland affected by the menopause at work, who want to know what their employer must do and whether they have been treated unfairly.

What this guide does not cover

⚖ At a glance

  • The menopause is not itself listed as a protected characteristic, but you are protected from discrimination because of sex, age and disability.
  • If menopause symptoms have a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, they could be a disability.
  • If they are a disability, your employer must make reasonable adjustments.
  • Employers must also assess workplace risks under health and safety law.
  • A discrimination claim needs no minimum length of service. Before most claims you must notify Acas.

The questions that decide the answer

  1. Do your symptoms have a substantial and long-term effect on your normal day-to-day activities? If yes, they could be a disability, and the duty to make reasonable adjustments can apply. If not, sex and age discrimination protection still applies.
  2. What has your employer done? For example, refused a change, disciplined you for absence, or allowed jokes about your symptoms.
  3. When did it happen? The date decides your time limit.

"Is the menopause a disability?"

Not automatically. You are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a "substantial" and "long-term" negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. "Substantial" is more than minor or trivial. "Long-term" means 12 months or more.

If menopause symptoms have a long-term and substantial impact on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, they could be considered a disability. Only a tribunal can finally decide.

"What must my employer do?"

If your symptoms amount to a disability, your employer must make reasonable adjustments. It must not directly or indirectly discriminate because of the disability, or treat you unfavourably because of something arising from it.

Reasonable adjustments can include doing things another way, changing equipment, or allowing flexible hours or part-time working.

Whether or not your symptoms are a disability, you are protected from direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation because of your age and sex.

Employers also have a legal obligation to assess their workplace risks under health and safety law.

Employees can also ask for flexible working from their first day in a job. Your employer must decide within 2 months, and must discuss the request with you before refusing it.

"I've been treated badly. What can I do?"

Raise it with your employer first. If that does not work, you can get advice from Acas, Citizens Advice or your trade union.

A discrimination claim needs no minimum length of service. Before you can make most employment tribunal claims, you must notify Acas to start early conciliation. It is free. Your time limit is paused while conciliation runs, but only if you notify Acas within your time limit.

Deadlines you must meet

Where to go for help

Acas: 0300 123 1100 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm), acas.org.uk. Early conciliation and employment advice.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission publishes guidance for employers on menopause in the workplace. Free advice is also available from Citizens Advice, and from your trade union if you have one.

Citizens Advice (England): 0800 144 8848

Citizens Advice (Wales): 0800 702 2020

Citizens Advice Scotland: 0800 028 1456

Traps

📜 Sources (checked 24 September 2026)

  • Equality and Human Rights Commission: Menopause in the workplace: guidance for employers.
  • GOV.UK: Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010; Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions; Flexible working. Tribunal time limits as in the tribunal guide.
  • Helplines checked on each organisation's own website on 24 September 2026.
⚠ Important disclaimer: This guide covers menopause at work in England, Wales and Scotland as at 24 September 2026. General legal information only, not legal advice. ukworkrights.co.uk — Not a law firm.

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