Funding to support women’s reproductive wellbeing in the workplace

Women experiencing the menopause, fertility problems, miscarriage and pregnancy loss, menstrual health and gynaecological conditions in the workplace will be supported to remain in or return to the workplace by a multi-million pound funding boost to voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

To recognise the need to better support women’s health in the workplace, grants of between £200,000 to £600,000 per applicant will be available over the next three years to expand and develop projects or programmes in these areas.

The funding will support projects and programmes working with communities to provide training for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) where internal support in the workplace is unlikely to be available and supporting individuals by signposting to clinical services, and helping them to address personal and workplace barriers to improve their wellbeing.

There are strong links between health and employment, with evidence showing work is good for physical and mental wellbeing.

Higher life expectancy is strongly correlated with higher employment rates and the most deprived local areas experience the worst health and employment outcomes.

Moving from employment to unemployment is estimated to increase GP consultation rates for an individual by 50 per cent due to its impact on people’s health.

The Government said supporting people in work not only helps them as individuals but also reduces the pressure on the NHS and allows healthcare professionals to continue using record funding to clear the COVID-19 backlog.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Millions of women work across the country and all employers should have plans to ensure the right support is in place for women experiencing reproductive issues and the menopause.

“I’m committed to levelling up women’s health and reducing disparities, not only through today’s funding, but more widely through our groundbreaking Women’s Health Strategy, urgently tackling HRT supply issues and my intention to sign the Menopause Workforce Pledge to support civil servants experiencing the menopause at work.”

Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield, said: “Women’s health should not impact their employment opportunities.

“This grant funding will ensure the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is able to better support women who are experiencing reproductive health issues to remain in or return to the workplace.

“We’re levelling up women’s health through this fund alongside our pledge to support women experiencing the menopause in the Civil Service, tackling current HRT supply issues and our upcoming Women’s Health Strategy.”

The grant fund aims to ensure:

women feel supported in the workplace ■ taboos are broken down through open conversations

■ employers feel well equipped to support women in managing their health within the workplace

The VCSE sector provides expert work and health support to women experiencing reproductive health issues impacting their experience in the workplace.

This is particularly vital for women who are less likely to have access to expert work and health support, such as occupational health support, via their employer, which may include women working for small employers or who are self-employed. As a result, applications for programmes aiming to provide training and awareness for SMEs where assistance schemes are unlikely to be available are particularly encouraged.

The government will publish the Women’s Health Strategy later this year and will also appoint a Women’s Health Ambassador.