A British woman – who was allegedly discriminated against because she suffered menopause symptoms – will appear before an an employment tribunal this week in a legal first that will be followed with interest internationally.
The Independent reports that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR), which is supporting Maria Rooney’s case, said she was suffering from menopause symptoms, anxiety and depression when she took periods of extended sickness leave from her job as a social worker for Leicester City Council in 2017 and 2018.
The commission said the now 52-year-old received a formal warning over her absences, despite her disclosing her symptoms. She resigned in October 2018 after claiming she received unfavourable treatment and inappropriate comments over the issue.
This week, a Leicester employment tribunal will be hearing the case, which is expected to last 16 days, and centres around claims she was discriminated against, harassed and victimised by her employer on the grounds of disability and sex.
It is the first case involving an employment tribunal where menopause symptoms are deemed to amount to a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act, the EHRC said. The EHRC said employers should support workers who are affected by the menopause.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Menopause leave trial rejected by UK Ministers
Britain launches ‘menopause taskforce’ to tackle workplace taboos
UK equality laws could be changed to protect women in menopause