Menopause tribunal claims treble - how is your company doing?

Recent data from HM Courts and Tribunal Services has revealed a increase in menopause-related employment tribunal claims. The figures show a more than threefold rise, from 64 claims in 2022 to 204 in 2024. 

 

Verve Healthcare see that this shows that employers need to pay special attention to menopause. Even if you think you have it covered and have the menopause policy to show for it - being able to put what each of our organisations say into practice is extremely important. 

 

Looking ahead, the proposed Employment Rights Bill could further impact this trend. The bill aims to strengthen employers' obligations regarding gender pay gap reporting and supporting staff experiencing menopause. 

 

It's not enough to HAVE a menopause policy, everyone needs to live it and align with it. It's not just about avoiding tribunal claims, it's about making lives better and creating the right workplace environment where everyone can flourish. 

 

The new Employment Rights Bill says organisations with 250+ employees need to have a menopause action plan. Best practice would see that organisations with fewer than 250 employees need to step up and create that equality. Verve Healthcare said in its submission to government over the occupational health consultation that all employees deserve to be treated with the same levels of equality irrespective of the size of their employer. 

 

Legal experts say the introduction of the new 'day one' rights in the Employment Rights Bill may lead to increased claims; if this is the case, then surely that's another reason, if any were needed, for employers consider people experiencing the impact of menopause. 

 

Employment tribunals should be a last resort, and it's disheartening to see the numbers of menopause-related ETs rising. However, with all statistics, only the numbers ahead are seen. If numbers are rising, that may also mean that women are feeling more able to speak up. Hopefully, that's the case, but whatever the reason the figures are an indication that this is an important area that deserves to be addressed.