How to Support Employees with Endometriosis at Work

As the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, endometriosis will likely affect one of your female employees. In fact, 1 in 6 women suffer from the condition, according to leading charity Endometriosis UK.

Endometriosis Awareness Month falls this March; businesses should use this time to educate their workforce on supporting employees with the condition. Employers have a legal duty of care to provide safe working practices and reasonable adjustments for women’s health issues, like endometriosis.

Failing this could lead to causing further ill-health, losing valuable employees, and facing reputational damage. For more information, speak to one of our expert Health & Safety advisors for free today.

In this guide, we’ll look at what endometriosis is, what the symptoms are, and how to support employees suffering from this debilitating condition in the workplace.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that typically affects women at any age – between puberty and menopause. Cells in the line of the womb (known as endometrial tissue) start to appear in other parts of the body, like the ovaries or fallopian tubes.

The collective tissue bleeds out of the body during a menstrual cycle. Although the body ejects the tissue, the process is very slow – causing people scarring, irritable, or even unbearable pain. Some women suffer from endometriosis for the best part of their entire adult life.

As endometriosis can impact one’s daily life, it’s highly plausible to affect their work life, too. That’s why employers must ensure they take the right steps towards supporting employees with endometriosis.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Endometriosis can cause a variety of symptoms to individuals – varying from person to person. Some of the most common examples include:

Pelvic pain: This involves pains to the lower abdomen, pelvis, and lower back.

Menstrual pain: This involves painful or heavy periods, spotting or bleeding between periods, and cramps that occur before and after periods.

Intercourse pain: This involves pain during or after sexual intercourse. Pains can also worsen during periods.

Other pains: The condition can also involve painful urination, bowel movements, fatigue, constipation, nausea, bloating, and fertility issues.

Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are close to other health conditions, like fibroids or Coeliac disease. Medical research has yet to find a permanent cure for endometriosis – leaving many women suffering from excruciating and debilitating pains.

What legal rights do employees with endometriosis have?

Employees with endometriosis conditions may be entitled to all kinds of legal rights related to their condition. Any evidence of negligence or breach can lead to employment tribunal claims – which can result in hefty compensation fines and business penalties. Let’s take a look at legal rights for employees with endometriosis:

Protection from disability discrimination

Depending on a person’s condition, endometriosis can classify as a disability in the eyes of the law. Under the Equality Act 2010, a disability must have a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal daily activities. If this is the case, the employee is protected from unlawful discrimination relating to disability.

Right to reasonable adjustments

If an employee’s endometriosis classifies as a disability, employers must make reasonable adjustments for them. This might include making changes to their work duties, environments, or locations, or conditions.

Statutory right to sick leave and pay

Employees with endometriosis have the right to Statutory Sick Leave and Statutory Sick Pay. They may be entitled to contractual sick leave and pay if stated so within their employment contract. However, these amounts legally cannot be less than the statutory amount.

Right to medical confidentiality

Not all employees with medical conditions feel confident with sharing their health status to their employer. They may fear facing stigmas or being judged. Employees aren’t legally obliged to disclose medical reports to their employer (relative to circumstances).

How to support employees with endometriosis at work

Government research found that endometriosis cost the UK economy £8.2 billion a year loss in work and healthcare. Better support from employers encourages healthier staff, as well as sufficient business continuity.

Remember, endometriosis can be a long-term health condition that’s difficult to navigate. Work alongside your staff to ensure they have the right tools to manage their condition whilst at work. Let’s take a look at how employers can support employees with endometriosis in the workplace:

Cover endometriosis in HR policies

Employers should show proactiveness for managing endometriosis throughout all areas of the business. Start by covering the term within your HR policies, like your sickness absence or long-term sick leave policies.

This will encourage engagement from senior leaders when it comes to acknowledging and supporting employees with endometriosis. Along with your HR policies, you can also cover endometriosis through staff training and employee wellbeing awareness. The aim here is to understand the condition better as an overall workforce.

Make reasonable adjustments

If an employee’s endometriosis condition classifies as a disability, employers are legally obligated to make reasonable adjustments for them. This might apply to their work duties, environments, and even conditions.

If an employee is suffering more than normal due to their endometriosis, you may decide to reassign part of their workload to a colleague. You can also allow deadline extensions where they’re struggling with fatigue. Flexible working allows employees to manage both work duties and endometriosis conditions from the comfort of their own home or terms.

Seek occupational health support

It’s hard for employers to fully understand how to help an employee manage their endometriosis condition whilst at work. Remember, you aren’t expected to heal them – only support them and avoid making their condition worse through work duties.

Occupational health support is a great way to gain a better understanding of your employee’s endometriosis. Medical assessments can show the extent of their condition, as well as offer advice on minimising potential work-related risks. Remember, employers cannot access medical reports without the employee’s permission.

Raise endometriosis awareness at work

People with endometriosis never know if they’ll have a good day or bad regarding their medical condition. That’s why it’s important for employers to offer both sympathy and emotional support – helping them through tough times.

Employers can raise awareness of endometriosis through open conversations, awareness days, and employee testimonies. Both managers and peers can benefit from understanding what their colleague is going through with their endometriosis condition, as well as establish how to show solidarity in the workplace.

Get expert advice on supporting employees with endometriosis with Peninsula

When it comes to medical conditions like endometriosis, many women are left feeling helpless – having to self-manage excruciating, debilitating, life-long pain. Employers must take the right steps towards supporting them, as well as manage any risks that could worsen their condition at work.

Peninsula offers expert advice on supporting employees with endometriosis. We offer 24-hour H&S advice – helping you establish a positive, safe, and inclusive workplace environment for women-related health issues.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.

Sources

Endometriosis in the workplace | Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis Action Month 2024 | Endometriosis UK

CNC proud to sign up to the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme | GOV