A recent survey conducted by women’s health start-up, frendo, has shed light on concerning trends surrounding women’s health and workplace dynamics in the UK. According to the poll, which surveyed 1,250 women aged 25-55, a quarter of women working in UK offices feel pressured or shamed into returning to work early when taking time off for health issues, including conditions such as endometriosis.
The findings highlight broader issues within workplace cultures, with 28% of respondents expressing that their company culture lacks openness when it comes to discussing health conditions. Additionally, 27% reported that their employers were reluctant to make accommodations for health issues, reflecting a gap in support and understanding for women’s health concerns in the workplace.
Furthermore, the survey revealed instances of discrimination faced by women due to their health, with 14% reporting experiences such as being overlooked for promotions or excluded from team activities because of their health conditions. Alarmingly, many women found it difficult to voice their concerns, with 42% of those who experienced discrimination not expressing their grievances to the relevant staff, and a similar proportion refraining from approaching their HR department.
The discomfort surrounding discussions about chronic health issues was also evident, particularly when addressing male managers. A third of respondents expressed discomfort in discussing chronic health issues with a male manager, a figure that rose to 63% when discussing fertility or menstrual problems. Conversely, the discomfort decreased significantly when speaking to a female manager.
Despite the evident need for support, the survey revealed a lack of specific workplace resources for women’s health conditions such as endometriosis. While some office-based workplaces provided employee support networks for fertility issues and menstrual problems, resources for other health conditions were scarce.
In response to these findings, frendo has launched a workplace support program, frendo@work, specifically aimed at addressing endometriosis in the workplace. The initiative aims to provide tailored support and resources for women navigating health challenges while balancing their careers.
The survey also underscored the increasing importance of healthcare benefits in recruitment and retention, with 73% of respondents stating that health-related perks would be important factors in their job search. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of holistic support for employees’ health and well-being in the workplace.
Dearbhail Ormond, founder and CEO of frendo, emphasized the impact of stigma and lack of support on women’s professional lives, noting the detrimental effects on both employees and employers. Ormond emphasized the importance of education and support from employers in enabling women to manage their health alongside their careers effectively.
In a separate study conducted by Endometriosis UK, alarming trends in diagnosis times for endometriosis were revealed. Women are now waiting almost nine years for an endometriosis diagnosis, with waiting times worsening since the onset of the pandemic. This underscores the urgent need for improved awareness, diagnosis, and support for women’s health conditions in healthcare systems and policy agendas.
