To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department has assessed the potential economic and workforce benefits of requiring or encouraging employers to adopt menopause workplace policies, including (i) menopause action plans; (ii) manager training; and (iii) reasonable workplace adjustments.

In June 2023, the Labour Relations Agency, the Equality Commission and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions published a guide entitled Promoting Equality in Employment for Women Affected by Menopause. All employers are recommended to consider this guide when developing their own workplace policies.

Many good employers already have flexible and supportive policies in place to facilitate homeworking, flexible hours or leave that goes beyond statutory minimums. I strongly encourage employers to offer these enhanced flexible and supportive working arrangements for their staff who require menopause support in the workplace.

The Employment Rights Bill, which I intend to introduce to the Assembly in the coming weeks, will enhance the statutory rights for all employees regarding flexible working and will hopefully further assist those who would benefit from flexible working for this reason.