The world’s first international standard for menstrual and menopause support at work

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A new standard has been launched to help organisations support employees experiencing menstruation and menopause at work ISO 45010:2026 "Occupational health and safety management — Menstruation and menopause in the workplace — Guidance".

Millions of people experience menstruation and menopause related health challenges during their working lives, yet workplace policies often fail to reflect their impact on employees. ISO 45010 provides practical recommendations to help employers better support health, wellbeing and inclusion in their organisations.

The publication comes as international research by the British Standards Institution highlights growing expectations for employers to provide better workplace support. Surveying 6,494 women across seven countries, the research found that 68% believe employers have a role in supporting employees experiencing menopause and menstruation-related health issues, while seven in ten want their employer to have a clear process and approach.

Designed for organisations of all sizes and sectors, the new standard offers guidance for leaders, managers, human resources professionals and occupational health and safety practitioners on identifying and addressing workplace factors that may affect employees experiencing menstruation or menopause.

The standard provides practical guidance and recommendations that cover many aspects of the workforce, including workplace culture, policies and procedures, manager awareness and training, workplace design, how to measure and evaluate impact and practical adjustments that may help employees manage symptoms while remaining healthy and productive at work. It also provides additional guidance for small to medium enterprises.

ISO 45010 forms part of the internationally recognised ISO 45000 family of occupational health and safety standards, supporting organisations to continually improve workplace health, safety and wellbeing through globally agreed best practice.

Source: ISO