The results of a wide-ranging English survey focusing on women’s health have highlighted the need for employers to put in place more open workplace cultures and support packages for female employees.

The Department of Health & Social Care issued a call for evidence in March 2021, surveying almost 100,000 people to inform the women’s health strategy for England. The results of the survey showed that women generally do not feel comfortable talking about health issues at work, and that there is a need for improvement in several areas.

Respondents said a more open workplace culture, an improvement in implementing existing workplace policies, and the creation of further new workplace policies and support packages for women in the workplace would help women reach their full potential at work.

Only a small majority (53%) of women said their current or former employers had been supportive with regards to health issues, and 62% said a health condition or disability had impacted their experience in the workplace – such as by raising stress levels, impacting their mental health, or impacting productivity.

Employment law expert Kerry Finch of Pinsent Masons said many employers were already responding to requests from employees to carry out reviews of their diversity and inclusion policies, including how these impact on women’s health issues such as the menopause.

“This is an important perspective to undertake a policy review from, because many women, especially those from ethnic...

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