Women: Employment

Question

We are committed to removing the barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential. To achieve this, we are supporting legislation that will change the culture of the workplace, and subsequently improve the wellbeing of working women. This includes changes that will: enable more people to request flexible working, extend redundancy protection for those on maternity leave, introduce carer's leave, and strengthen the protections against harassment in the workplace.

In addition, the Women’s Health Strategy set out the ambition that health conditions and disabilities should not be a barrier to women’s participation in the workplace. In response to this, the Department for Work and Pensions has recently appointed a Menopause Employment Champion. Part of their role will include driving workplace change to realise the full potential of women, businesses, and the economy; by assisting women at any age and career stage to be supported to remain, and thrive, in work.