Endometriosis UK calls for national framework as report shows almost half out of work
A report launched by Endometriosis UK says endometriosis keeps almost half of women out of work, and the charity wants workplace training and a national framework.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Endometriosis UK has called for a national framework for endometriosis and menstrual health after a report found that the condition keeps almost half of women out of work. The charity's employment manager, Julie Burns, set out the findings in an interview and said stigma around menstrual health in the workplace was still a major barrier.
The NHS describes endometriosis as a condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow outside it. It can cause chronic pain, bleeding and serious disruption to daily life. It affects one in ten women. The report published by Endometriosis UK found that almost half of women with the condition are kept out of work. Burns said one in four women have said they had to give up jobs because of endometriosis. She also said 94% of people reported that their employer did not understand endometriosis. More than 90% of employers admitted they had no menstrual health training or women's health training on their wellbeing agenda, according to the report.
The charity said the gap starts with managers. Burns said employers need to train managers to have open and transparent conversations about menstrual health, even though the subject can be sensitive. She said the aim is to make staff feel supported.
Burns spoke from lived experience. She worked at a university for 12 years, and it became the first university to sign up to the charity's endometriosis friendly employer scheme. She said that was partly because of support from her line manager at the time, who was female, but she had also received good support from male managers in the past.
Endometriosis UK wants the government to introduce a national framework for endometriosis and menstrual health, similar to menopause action plans now being introduced. Burns said reasonable adjustments do not have to be difficult or expensive. She gave the example of a police force that looked at trousers made from more breathable material, because bloating is one symptom. That change, she said, could allow an officer to manage her operational role instead of taking the day off work.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| A report concluded that endometriosis has prevented nearly half of women from working. | |
| Endometriosis affects one in ten women and can cause chronic pain, bleeding, and disruption to daily life. | |
| Over 90% of employers said their wellbeing agenda lacked menstrual or women's health training. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel treated the report as a workplace and stigma story, built around a studio interview with Endometriosis UK's employment manager. It focused on employer ignorance, practical adjustments and the charity's call for a national framework. The tone was sympathetic and solution-focused, with less emphasis on medical detail beyond the NHS definition.
- “There's just still a huge stigma around menstrual health discussions in the workplace”
- “We actually need a national framework for endometriosis and menstrual health similar to the menopause action plans that are coming into place now”
- “Reasonable adjustments are not difficult, things don't have to cost a lot of money.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.