ICMIF member Benenden Health (UK) recently hosted a high-level roundtable with parliamentarians and industry experts at Portcullis House (a key location used by UK Members of Parliament), to address the growing number of women leaving the workforce due to insufficient menopause support. The discussion comes ahead of the UK Government’s forthcoming Menopause Action Plans, part of the proposed Employment Rights Bill (2025).
The event follows Benenden Health research published in February of this year, which found that 28% of women surveyed had considered leaving their jobs due to menopause symptoms. The session was chaired by Christine Jardine MP and member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, with findings presented by Dr Amy Pressland, Head of Talent and Performance at Benenden Health. Contributions also came from representatives of organisations including CIPD and The Menopause Charity, alongside policymakers, employers and health experts.
Participants highlighted the need for meaningful workplace support, warning against “tick-box” approaches and calling for inclusive policies that address women in a range of roles and environments. Experts emphasised the importance of lived experience, access to trusted information, and tackling stigma, which can lead to underreporting and mental health challenges. There were also calls for earlier education, better manager training and leadership that fosters open conversations about women’s health.
Dr Amy Pressland noted: “To sit in Westminster with MPs, Peers and industry experts, and share the Benenden Health Menopause research demonstrates the criticality of this topic for business and the UK. This roundtable discussion was not just about women’s health – although that lies at the heart of this campaign – it was also about women’s contribution to society. When nearly 1/3 women are considering leaving work due to menopausal symptoms and not getting the support they need, this is a national workforce challenge with critical implications for talent loss, productivity and economic growth.”
She continued: “Menopausal women (8 in 10 women will go through the menopause whilst working) are the largest growing demographic in the UK. And yet 47% have already reduced their working hours and turned down promotions because their employer is not equipped to support them.
“Benenden Health is proud to support women, HR teams, the wider public and government officials to better understand the scope of the menopause impact at work, clinical expertise on the menopause and tangible, low-cost solutions for businesses,” Pressland concluded.
Christine Jardine MP added: “Too many women are being forced to step back from their careers, not because they lack the talent or ambition, but because they aren’t getting the support they need during the menopause.
“This is not just a health issue — it’s an economic and workplace equality issue. We must ensure that employers are equipped to respond with understanding, flexibility and practical support, so that women can continue to thrive at every stage of their working lives.”
Benenden Health representatives have also contributed to business advisory groups supporting the development of the Menopause Action Plan, ahead of its voluntary rollout in April 2026 and mandatory implementation in April 2027.
The organisation continues to expand its support services, including specialist one-to-one menopause coaching service to its members, with recent data showing that out of all the coaching appointments available via Benenden’s app, menopause is second only to mental health, with more than one in four of those members accessing this support service.
