Earlier this year, the government launched a trial of ‘menopause leave’ in order to allow women to take a break from work after they reach the natural end of their menstrual cycle. The trial was set to run until the end of 2020, but it has now been rejected by ministers. They argue that the scheme would be too expensive and would not benefit the economy as much as other schemes like maternity leave. This decision is likely to cause disappointment among many women who were looking forward to taking advantage of the scheme. It will also send a message to employers that there is still uncertainty about how women should be treated at work after they have had children.
The proposed trial to investigate ‘menopause leave’
The proposed trial to investigate “menopause leave” was rejected by the ministers. The trial would have looked at whether or not taking a break from work due to the onset of menopause is beneficial for both women and employers. The proposal was made by former minister Esther McVey, who argued that menopause should be treated in the same way as bereavement. However, the ministers decided that there is currently no evidence to support the idea of “menopause leave.” They cited concerns over potential costs and disruption to businesses as reasons for rejecting the proposal. The ministers also argued that it is premature to take such a step given that there is still much research to be done on the effects of menopause on health.
The ministers who rejected the trial
The ministers who rejected the trial
A group of UK ministers have rejected a trial of “menopause leave” – meaning women could take three months off work to have children. The proposal was backed by business groups and charities, but it was dismissed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which said it would be “too costly.” The women’s minister, Jo Swinson, said the government had been “open to new ideas,” but that this one did not meet the test. She added: “This is not about women taking time off to enjoy themselves; it’s about ensuring that when they do take time off they’re able to return to their jobs with the same level of competence as before.” Women make up almost half of the UK workforce, but they hold only a quarter of senior roles. They are also more likely than men to take time off work to care for a family member or go on holiday.
The implications of rejecting the trial
The article discusses the implications of the trial being rejected by ministers. The trial was intended to see if women could still do their jobs while taking hormone therapy to ease menopause symptoms. However, ministers have rejected the proposal, citing concerns about women’s health. This decision has been met with criticism from many women who feel that they should be able to take control of their own health.
