At Endometriosis UK, we know how difficult it can be for some of those with endometriosis and adenomyosis to get the support they need in the workplace. Lack of understanding about these diseases; impact and seriousness of symptoms not being believed; taboo and embarrassment around ‘women’s issues’ making it hard or impossible to discuss with managers; and fluctuating conditions with symptoms that may vary across the month resulting in colleagues and managers labelling you as ‘flaky’ rather than supporting you to thrive; the fear of being made to wear a light coloured uniform when you scared you will flood. Just some of the issues that are all too often unfairly faced by those with menstrual health conditions.
This is a major issue for everyone. Absenteeism from work due to heavy and painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts costs the UK economy nearly £11 billion every year. But there are steps the Government can take now that could really make a difference.
We are calling for the Government to take urgent action and bring about change. Right now, the Employment Rights Bill is going through Parliament and we’re campaigning for this to include compulsory menstrual health action plans that would provide clear guidance to better support those with endometriosis, adenomyosis and all menstrual health conditions at work. We want to see an end to absence management policies that unfairly penalise those with the disease. For the NHS, it’s vital a commitment is made to drive down diagnosis times, which are a shocking 8 yrs 10 months on average for endometriosis, along with driving down gynaecology waiting times which are leaving so many with their lives ‘on hold’ for months and years with no access to the treatment and management they need, and during which time the disease may progress. Taking these steps would not only save individuals suffering, but also benefit the UK economy, and save NHS resources such as multiple appointments with symptoms not recognised.
We hope the current petition to introduce menstrual leave for those with endometriosis and adenomyosis reaches the 100,000 signatories to trigger a debate in parliament and highlight the plight of those with these under recognised and under resourced diseases. Introducing menstrual leave for those diagnosed conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis would help some with a diagnosis of these diseases. This requiring only a single medical certificate confirming the condition would be a positive step, rather than having to get certificates for each incidence.
But we want employers and government to go further and recognise the condition for the chronic disease it is, deserving of the same level of workplace support as any other illness, such as diabetes or asthma. We want those undergoing or waiting for appointments and surgery with suspected disease to be recognised.
The symptoms and severity of endometriosis and adenomyosis vary person to person. Some have no or mild symptoms, whilst for others symptoms may be debilitating. Symptoms may be intermittent related to stages of the menstrual cycle, or experienced to varying degrees through the month. Employers should recognise the impact the condition has on their individual employees and help them thrive at work through appropriate adaptions or flexibility.
We want those with endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions to thrive at work without worrying about losing their job, having to change their career, or feel restricted in the type of work they can do because of their condition. That is why we run the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme and hold ‘menstrual health at work’ training sessions, to help employers understand the impact the disease can have and what simple steps can be taken to support those with menstrual health conditions in the workplace.
However, we want to see the government to commit to a range of tangible changes to make a difference to those with endometriosis and adenomyosis both diagnosed and undiagnosed. We call on the government to act right now to amend the Employment Rights Bill, to set a target of an average length of diagnosis to a year or less by 2030 for both endometriosis and adenomyosis, and roll out best practices in care to drive down gynaecology waiting lists.
