Mariella Frostrup appointed Women’s Employment Ambassador

It expands the remit of the Menopause Employment Ambassador, which Ms Frostrup successfully took on over the past year. In that role she oversaw the launch of the Menopause Advisory Group and discussions with hundreds of employers to improve workplace support for women experiencing menopause.

In this brand new, expanded role, Ms Frostrup will work closely with employers across the country to raise awareness of key health issues that affect women in work and champion their economic contributions.

Experts from across sectors will be brought together to gather evidence, identify barriers and opportunities and provide informed recommendations on supporting women’s health in work. Many health conditions affect women long before they reach menopause, including endometriosis and fibroids, making it vital that support is available throughout their working lives to avoid women dropping out of the workforce for good.

This comes as part of the government’s ambition to reverse the rise in the number of women who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness, which has reached 1.48 million.

Companies will be asked to commit to at least one action to support employees experiencing menopause such as setting up support groups or tailoring workplace adjustments such as alternative uniforms.

The appointment comes as businesses are being encouraged to publish voluntary action plans to better support employees experiencing menopause symptoms. Together these measures will work to address the near record number of women who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness.

The introduction of the ambassador role comes as the government continues its efforts to support women experiencing symptoms of the menopause, with businesses being encouraged to publish action plans to prevent the £1.7 billion lost each year due to sick days, lost productivity and women leaving the workforce because of the menopause.

The new position will see Mariella work closely with employers across the country to raise awareness of key health issues affecting women in work and champion the economic contributions of women.

Also, large businesses with 250 or more employees are being encouraged to produce and publish voluntary action plans setting out how they will support employees experiencing menopause symptoms in the workplace.

Minister for Employment, Dame Diana Johnson said: “Too many women still face barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential in the workplace.

“This new ambassador role sends a clear signal that we are serious about changing that, and Mariella Frostrup is the ideal person to take this on.

“By championing the brilliant contributions women make – as entrepreneurs, workers, and leaders – we can unlock economic growth that benefits everyone.”

Mariella Frostrup said: “Menopause support in the workplace has come a long way, and that progress is something to be proud of, but it cannot be where our ambition stops.

“Women’s health affects their working lives long before menopause, and for too long many have been navigating these challenges without the right support around them.

“Every woman deserves to know, at every stage of her career, that her health will not be a barrier to her success. I am delighted to take on this role and look forward to working with employers across the country to support their imperative female workforce and retain them.”