The UK Government and employers are being urged to act on workplace support for women’s health and reproductive challenges, following a joint call from 28 organisations including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM).
In an open letter to Employment Minister Alison McGovern provided to Workplace Wellbeing Professional, signatories have called for a formal review of the support available to women at work. They say that greater investment from both employers and policymakers in women’s health is essential to improving retention, reducing economic inactivity and tackling the UK’s ongoing labour shortages.
The letter focuses on the need for better support for menopause, menstrual health, fertility struggles and pregnancy or baby loss — areas where existing workplace provision remains inconsistent and often inadequate.
Evidence of Workplace Gaps in Health Support
According to new data from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, 46% of employers now include menopause support in their health and wellbeing strategies. But support for other aspects of women’s health remains limited:
- Just 37% of organisations offer specific support for pregnancy loss
- Only 26% address fertility issues
- A mere 18% provide policies or support for menstrual health
These gaps mean that many women face a lack of understanding and flexibility when navigating serious health concerns. Time off work to manage symptoms, stalled career progression and even premature departure from the workforce are common consequences.
Despite making up almost half of the UK workforce, women are still underrepresented in employment figures and are more likely than men to be economically inactive.
Call for a Review and National Action Plan
The letter, coordinated by the CIPD and SOM — the representative body for occupational health professionals — calls for the Government to take three key actions:
- Launch a review of workplace support for women’s health and reproductive challenges, to identify gaps and economic opportunities. The review should be followed by a Government-backed action plan.
- Deliver a national awareness campaign, encouraging employers to build flexible, understanding and supportive working environments for women throughout their lives.
Improve access to occupational health support, ensuring more workers can remain in or return to suitable employment while managing their health.
Signatories to the letter include employers and representative bodies across key sectors such as construction, retail, healthcare and education — industries particularly affected by labour shortages.
CIPD: Support for Women Crucial to Economic Growth
Rachel Suff, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser for Wellbeing at the CIPD, said that improving workplace health support for women was not only a moral and social imperative but a vital component of national economic policy.
“Tackling economic inactivity is a huge priority for the government and key to driving economic growth,” said Suff. “But inadequate support for women’s health and reproductive challenges at work means many people feel forced to drop out of the workforce to manage their symptoms.
She said female employees feel more fulfilled at work and are more productive when their employers have supportive policies in place and provide occupational health support.
“This will not only benefit individuals, by reducing inequality and supporting personal wellbeing, but will also be good for business and the economy by helping retain vital skills that contribute to positive business outcomes.”
Suff added that the government should “play its part by reviewing where the gaps in support exist, supporting employers to develop flexible and compassionate workplaces, and widening access to occupational health services”.
SOM: Occupational Health a Strategic Priority
Emma Persand, chair of the Women’s Health at Work Network at the Society of Occupational Medicine, said occupational health must no longer be treated as “a checkbox” or an afterthought.
“Occupational health is not a luxury or an afterthought; it is the foundation of sustainable productivity and human dignity in the workplace,” she said. “Without proper attention to both physical and mental health at work, we witness the consequences ripple across families, communities, and entire industries. It’s time we stop viewing occupational health as a checkbox and start treating it as the strategic necessity it truly is.”
Persand said there was a need for “urgent, coordinated action from employers, policymakers and health systems to integrate occupational health into broader public health and labour strategies.” She said it required “genuine investment in preventive care, better enforcement of safety standards and inclusive policies that protect all workers – regardless of their status or sector.
“If we truly value people, we must act now to ensure every worker has access to safe, healthy and supportive working conditions.”
Employers Play Key Role
As pressure mounts on the Government to address economic inactivity and boost workforce participation, advocates say the case for improving women’s health support in the workplace is stronger than ever.
Employers can take proactive steps by reviewing existing policies, training managers on women’s health issues, offering flexible working and providing access to occupational health advice. But campaigners stress that meaningful change will require coordinated Government leadership, legislative support and cross-sector collaboration.