Test Valley MP criticises Government for ditching 'menopause leave' plans
Caroline Nokes thinks the subject needs more discussion
A Test Valley MP says the government's 'missed an opportunity' after ditching plans for a trial for 'menopause leave' for women.
Ministers are worried it could discriminate against men suffering with long-term medical conditions.
The Women and Equalities Committee in the House of Commons came-up with the idea of running a pilot.
Its chair, Caroline Nokes, thinks it's vital that the issue's brought to the table:
"My message to the Government is that this will happen to every woman - we will all go through the menopause. If we want women over 50 to continue to be economically productive then we have to find better ways to support them."
The large scale pilot of menopause leave was suggested as a way to prevent women from feeling they would need to leave the workforce to cope with the symptoms of aging.
But ministers thought it could turn out to be 'counterproductive', suggesting the policy might unintentionally discriminate against men.
The Women and Equalities Committee says little progress has been made on menopause support.
Test Valley MP Caroline Nokes agrees:
"We know that in the region of a million women have already been lost to the workplace because of the menopause symptoms that they've been through.
"I think it's sad that the Government isn't even prepared to trial menopause workplace leave, which would allow women to take a break and then come back when their symptoms have subsided."