The government and employers have been urged to launch a review of the support for women’s health and reproductive challenges at work in a bid to keep more women in the labour force.
The call has come in an open letter, signed by 28 organisations, which said that improving the retention of women in work across every life stage would help tackle labour shortages and drive the UK’s productivity.
Addressed to employment minister Alison McGovern, the letter said the review should be followed by a government action plan to help employers invest in supportive policies for menopause, menstruation and fertility challenges as well as pregnancy or baby loss.
The letter, organised by the CIPD and the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), has been signed by organisations in sectors critical to the UK economy such as construction and retail.
CIPD research shows there has been progress in employer support for some women’s health issues, with 46 percent of organisations now offering menopause support as part of their health and wellbeing activities.
But the employer body’s Health and wellbeing at work 2023 report also found there are still large gaps in support in other areas of women’s health. Only 37 percent of employers offer support for pregnancy loss, 26 percent offer support for fertility issues and just 18 percent support menstrual health challenges.
The letter highlights that while things may have started to improve, many women still have to take time off work to manage symptoms, face seeing their careers stall or feel they have to drop out of work altogether.
Women account for almost half of the UK labour market, but fewer women than men are in employment and they are more likely to be economically inactive, according to official labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics.
Letter signatories also called on the government to launch a high-profile campaign to motivate employers to develop greater support for women’s health at work. The letter also urged the government to widen access to occupational health services and other health provisions to support people to stay in, or return to, appropriate work in which they can manage their health.
Rachel Suff, senior policy and practice adviser for wellbeing at the CIPD, said: “Tackling economic inactivity is a huge priority for the government and key to driving economic growth. 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.
“With supportive employer policies, better people management support and the opportunity to access specialist occupational health support, we can keep more women in fulfilling and productive work. 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.
“We need the government to 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.”
Emma Persand, chair of SOM’s Women’s Health at Work Network, said: “Occupational health is not a luxury or an afterthought – it is the foundation of sustainable productivity and human dignity in the workplace. 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.
“We need urgent, coordinated action from employers, policymakers, and health systems to integrate occupational health into broader public health and labour strategies. This requires 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.”
