Penny Lancaster ‘deflated’ after Government rejects menopause leave trial

Penny Lancaster said she is feeling “deflated” after the Government rejected calls for a trial of menopause work leave. The 51-year-old former model, who is married to

singer Sir Rod Stewart, has been outspoken on her own struggles with the menopause and is an ambassador for the charity Wellbeing of Women. A pilot scheme on menopause leave

was recommended by the Commons Women and Equalities Committee but the Government said on Tuesday that the proposal was not seen as “necessary” and could turn out to be

“counterproductive””. Sky News asked Lancaster what was her reaction to the decision, and she said: “Gosh, just deflated, really. I mean, women of 50 and over are the

highest demographic in the workplace.” She added that three in four women suffer symptoms with some experiencing “serious” issues. Lancaster added: “The sad thing is

that if the workplace doesn’t help women with the menopause, then they will start reducing their hours, they won’t consider promotion, and even go to the point where they will

quit jobs because of the extreme symptoms that menopause can have.” She said Wellbeing of Women calls on employers to sign the Menopause Workplace Pledge, which provides a

template for women. Lancaster added: “The pledge that the (Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle) actually signed, that we were thrilled that they did, gives

very clear guidelines to what kinds of things the workplace could do to help women, but not only that advice that comes from the charity, but also to listen to the individuals,

because each case is very different.”