Today The Civil Service signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge and committed to recognising the impact of menopause and actively support women who are affected.

Senior ministers and civil servants endorsed our campaign at special event.

In total, 262,670 women work in the Civil Service, making up more than half (54%) of the organisation. The median age of civil servants is 45 years and this often when women will be going through the perimenopause or menopause.

Becoming a signatory of the Menopause Workplace Pledge demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to support women in the workplace, including by helping to generate more conversations between managers and employees, and creating a more inclusive workplace which enables women of all ages to thrive.

It builds on the Civil Service’s existing support, including the Menopause in the Workplace Policy launched in December 2021, which identifies ways that departments can support employees such as by offering workplace adjustments.

Left to right: Antonia Romeo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice , Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary, Maria Caulfield, Minister for Women's Health

Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Heather Wheeler said:

"Women must feel able to talk about their health issues and know that they will be supported. By recognising the impact that menopause can have, and creating an open culture free from embarrassment, we can ensure those women feel comfortable in the workplace and prevent the brightest from leaving the Civil Service.

"Signing this pledge, alongside our ongoing commitment to supporting women in the workplace and the new Women’s Health Strategy, takes us one step closer to that goal, meaning better government and better public services for everyone."

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said:

"For some women, the symptoms of the menopause can be extremely debilitating and it’s absolutely crucial they feel confident asking for support at work.

"This pledge will ensure women working across the civil service feel supported. I encourage other businesses to do the same – big companies, such as Asda and Thames Water, are already joining us with this pledge to make sure their workplaces have menopause strategies in place."

Chair of Wellbeing of Women, Professor Dame Lesley Regan said:

"The Civil Service is sending a powerful message – that women both need and deserve our support in the workplace. Women are often at their most productive and successful at this stage in their lives. Many are the breadwinners for their family and make essential contributions. It makes complete sense to provide simple, practical support to help keep them in the workplace."

Cross Government Menopause Network Sponsor and Deputy Permanent Secretary at HMRC, Angela MacDonald said:

"Women make up half the UK workplace and make extremely valuable contributions day in, day out. I’m very proud of the work being done across the Civil Service to ensure that we enable colleagues to receive the support that they need to flourish. Our new workplace policies and the signing of this pledge signals our visible commitment as an employer."

Minister for Employment, Mims Davies said:

"We’re absolutely committed to ensuring we have the support in place to recruit and retain women experiencing the menopause, including in the Civil Service, and last month we saw the number of women in the UK workforce rise by more than 58,000.

"Menopause is still a leading cause for women leaving the workforce, which is why I’m working with employers, and across government to improve the support in place for women in the workplace."

Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield said:

"The menopause affects hundreds of thousands of women every year, but for some the symptoms of the menopause can seriously affect their daily lives, impacting them while at work. Women are a vital part of the workforce and this pledge by the civil service shows what can be done by an employer to help women going through the menopause."

Wellbeing of Women, in collaboration with Hello! Magazine, is calling on employers to sign the Menopause Workplace Pledge and support their colleagues going through the menopause.

Find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved.

Supported by Bupa.