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‘Menopause is Not a Disability’ Argues Campaigner in Wake of Employment Rights Bill

An entrepreneur, bestselling author and Menopause Mentor from Market Harborough is speaking out after what she feels is an example of ‘campaigning gone wrong’ as businesses across the UK start the year having labelled menopause as a ‘disability’.

For the first time, in 2025, menopause has been written into legislation as being a core workplace issue, which means it’s no longer a matter of good practice or wellbeing for employers to take it seriously, it is now a legal imperative. Bearing in mind that Jane Pangbourne has campaigned for better menopause awareness whilst supporting menopause care across 100 countries, for over 10 years, you would think she’d welcome this legal change but far from it - and she’s actively working to challenge it with topical conversations and interviews on her YouTube Channel. 

The new Employment Rights Bill signals a narrative shift and employers with more than 250 employees will be legally required to publish a Menopause Action Plan as part of their wider gender equality responsibilities, with voluntary adoption encouraged from as early as April 2026 and mandatory compliance aimed at 2027. This all stems from menopause having been ‘recognised’ as a disability.

Around 15.5 million people in the UK are currently experiencing perimenopause or menopause and in many cases the symptoms are debilitating and distressing, including anxiety, erratic periods, memory challenges and fatigue. So, from the end of 2025, if menopause symptoms substantially affect daily work (e.g., focus, fatigue, concentration), this can meet the legal definition of a disability, triggering duties for reasonable adjustments (fans, rest areas, dress code relaxation) and protection from discrimination.

“All good?” Said Jane, 58, “No I don’t think so. This is NOT what we need!!”

“This is being lauded as a new era and one that recognises menopause as a serious workplace consideration that can no longer be ignored. I am a HUGE menopause advocate and supporter of all those affected and I agree wholeheartedly that menopause impacts everyone who will become menopausal AND their family and friends or those who work with, manage or support them - however - I do NOT agree with menopause being recognised as a disability.”

“I believe that what will happen as a result of this ruling is that this will become just another excuse for women to be brought down, treated as less than and singled out as not being as capable as others, when the solution for most is quite simply education, awareness and in most cases, access to the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that they need to help them to feel like themselves again."

"We don't need coddling or adjustments to be made (as a general rule). We merely need to be properly informed about the HRT options (minus the scaremongering!) and how best to utilise the solutions that are readily available, in some cases over the counter remedies."

"Just as having an underactive thyroid is NOT a disability but still needs to be addressed... Menopause is NOT a disability but can still be effectively addressed with a solution that enables the person struggling with symptoms to both continue working and enjoy their life, rather than to be pandered into taking time off or having to ask for fans for unnecessary hot flushes etc.. “

She adds: “Even without a disability classification, less favourable treatment of employees and team members due to menopause can already be challenged as sex or age discrimination, so adding in a disability tag is not helpful. We already badge unwanted comments, jokes, or "banter" about menopause symptoms as unlawful harassment or sexual harassment which is a huge and necessary step alongside fostering a culture of encouraging open, safe discussions with access to support services.It is an absolute certainty that some people will abuse this badge of disability and spoil it for everyone else and employers who want to do the best for their teams will suffer for this new ruling. I will continue to fight for menopause awareness and HRT education to help more people understand that menopause and peri menopause are really not complex and hormones are not to be feared.  We don’t need to be further cushioned. We need to be listened to and given the solutions to feel well again then everybody wins."

This is why Jane is launching her new series on YouTube, to help provide practical guidance and education around how menopausal symptoms can be understood and treated -to help more women, and those in their lives, to move through menopause without having to put careers, or relationships on hold.

“Last year I warned hundreds of people from the big stage about menopause misinformation -this has now started to filter through to the drug companies in the US but the UK is still so far behind, and this new ruling that now denotes menopause as a disability in the workplace is just as unhelpful as all the health scares. It’s bringing fear, overwhelm and a further message that menopause means women cannot function effectively - when in reality, with the right help the majority absolutely can.”

“I’ve been online trolled for years and had so much hate, purely for trying to challenge the misinformation being provided to women about menopause. I’ve helped improve the quality of life for thousands of people by helping them understand their hormones and what their body needs, yet I am constantly in fight mode because of things like this new ruling. I am calling for everyone to take a breath and look at the evidence and facts so as not to undo all the hard work I and so many others have put into reversing the negative narrative around menopause -and with my YouTube channel I’m determined to set the record straight..”

After more than 10 years researching facts and working in this space, No.1 Bestselling author of ‘I Choose Menopause’, Jane has been recognised by META for her free support with the online community, was badged as one of the UK’s Top 30 menopause influencers 2025, won the Global Health and Pharma Award for Menopause Health Expert of the Year and has just been shortlisted for The Female Boss Trailblazer. She is determined to use her influence to help as many people as possible. 

Jane is an ex Training Manager turned entrepreneur, after building her business ‘Menopausal Not Mad’ in 2017 on the back of her self education, when the system failed her. Her menopause journey began at just 37 years old when she entered premature perimenopause – medically known as Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). She struggled for years to access proper help, in which time she suffered several job losses due to lack of support at work, finally only getting the help she needed after doing extensive research herself and being her own fierce advocate. 

Since then she has become an active champion for others, and has gathered over 55,000 signatures calling for better advice to be offered to patients via GPs. Recommended by doctors and healthcare professionals Jane is a Level 6 certificated Women’s Health Practitioner, qualified nutritionist, and holds certificates in CBT, training, and assessment. She added: “People come to me when no one else is listening. I’ve been told I am ‘a bubble of hope’ in this confusing arena. That’s all I want to be – hope for people who feel lost.”

If anyone would like to join Jane to discuss this topic on her YouTube channel you can reach her via her website janepangbourne.org and her Youtube is found at janepangbourneglobal.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chocolate PR .