As part of BBC Radio Wales’ coverage of the petition to UK Parliament calling for statutory menstrual leave for people with endometriosis and adenomyosis, FTWW Engagement Coordinator, Dee, spoke to BBC Radio Wales about the importance of ensuring that disabled and chronically ill women and people registered female at birth – and their employers – are aware of existing legislation that can protect their employment rights and help them thrive in the workplace.
At FTWW, we fully support the petition, as we know from our regular conversations with women who seek our support that those living with menstrual health conditions (as well as conditions that are linked to or have an impact on menstrual health) often encounter barriers in the workplace – not least because their health issues often aren’t taken seriously or respected as disabling.
Too many of those who reach out to us aren’t aware of their rights as disabled people under the Equality Act 2010, and therefore aren’t aware that they are already entitled to reasonable adjustments (which could include menstrual leave). As a result, many end up going through unfair disciplinary procedures, further discrimination, and even losing their jobs. Many in our community believe that a referral to occupational health to discuss their needs is a negative step and worry they will lose their jobs, yet the vast majority of our members who have been through such an assessment have told us it was a huge help, from putting reasonable adjustments in place to help them thrive at work, to reminding employers of their legal responsibilities!
It is clear to us that the responsibility for positive change does not lie with those living with disabling menstrual health conditions. The changes that are needed will come from Governments, employers, education spaces, and the NHS – there remains a huge responsibility to tackle long waiting lists and diagnostic delays, especially in Wales where endometriosis patients have the longest average diagnostic delay in the UK, of 9 years 11 months.
It is also vital that public perceptions of health issues such as endometriosis and adenomyosis change, so as those living with them don’t have to live with the assumptions, misinformation, and unsolicited advice they currently experience from well-meaning friends and colleagues – as well as healthcare professionals; in partnership with Endometriosis UK, Metro recently surveyed 1,073 women with endometriosis and found 79% with the debilitating condition have been told by doctors to get pregnant to ease their symptoms, a figure the charity has labelled a healthcare ‘scandal’. Besides the fact that many will experience fertility issues, there is no evidence that pregnancy can help patients in this way.
In Wales, The Welsh Government made a commitment to embedding the social model of disability across public services back in 2002, but in reality this has been patchy at best; many of those who reach out to us for support actually work for their local authority, NHS health board, or in other public sector environments where the social model should have been in place for over two decades. The social model is vital; as well as recognising that societal barriers (such as long waiting lists, diagnostic delays, and lack of support at work) are what disable us, it also removes the need for a diagnosis before support can be put in place; so those living with debilitating symptoms but are yet to be diagnosed will be treated equitably and with respect at work.
We also echo calls from our friends at Endometriosis UK. Emma Cox, the charity’s CEO, says “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.”
Michelle Dewar, the creator of the petition, has recognised that not all conditions related to menstrual health are covered within it, but that the petition is part of a vital conversation about how women and people registered female at birth who are living with menstrual conditions that are poorly understood can find themselves discriminated against.
We would urge everyone to sign the petition, so as it can reach the 100,000 signature threshold that will result in a parliamentary debate. We would also encourage our members and wider community to write to their Member of Parliament (MP) to share their experiences and shine a light on why menstrual health action plans should be part of the Employment Rights Bill.
If you would like to read more about the social model of disability, women’s health, and your rights under the Equality Act, check out our page on Understanding Disability, as well as our blogs: ‘Disability Pride and Women’s Health’, and ‘Disability Pride – is disability something to be ‘proud’ of? We say, ‘yes’ – and here’s why’.
You can also visit our advocacy and support page, where you’ll find lots of useful information on how to best speak up for yourself – or support someone living with health issues in your workplace.
Tune into Dee’s interview with BBC Radio Wales, here (41:30).
Update: On 20 August, the UK Government’s Department of Business and Trade responded to the petition – you can read their full response here.
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