Employers now have access to a new global framework to help them support employees experiencing menstruation and menopause.
Published by BSI, the UK’s national standards body, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), BS ISO 45010: Occupational health and safety management – Menstruation and menopause in the workplace provides practical guidance for business leaders, HR professionals, managers and occupational health and safety practitioners.
The standard is designed to help organisations identify and address workplace factors that can affect employees’ health, wellbeing and productivity. It covers workplace culture, policies and procedures, manager awareness and training, workplace design, job design, inclusivity, measurement and evaluation, and practical adjustments that may help employees manage symptoms at work. Additional guidance is included for small and medium-sized enterprises.
BS ISO 45010 builds on the original British Standard published in May 2023 and reflects almost three years of work by an international expert group. New content includes guidance on disclosure and privacy, expanded definitions to support consistent interpretation across regions and cultures, updated recommendations for practical action, and a workplace charter template.
The standard also includes a cross-reference matrix showing how its recommendations align with ISO 45001, the established occupational health and safety management system standard. This means organisations that already use ISO 45001 may be able to incorporate menstruation and menopause support into their existing health and safety strategies.
For employers, the guidance offers a structured way to reduce stigma, improve manager confidence and create a workplace where employees feel able to seek support. Research cited by BSI found that only 38% of UK employees who have experienced menopause, perimenopause or menstrual health-related challenges feel confident their employer would help them find a solution. Nearly half, 49%, said their employer offered no support at all.
Anne Hayes, BSI’s Director of Sectors, said
As demonstrated in our research, there is still work to be done in the workplace regarding women's health, with 57% of UK women saying they have never heard their employer talk about the issue. Launched over three years ago, the original British standard has been a valuable blueprint for employers addressing menstruation and menopause at work, providing vital guidance to help women throughout their careers.
BS ISO 45010 takes the standard further, with new guidance on disclosure and privacy and a broader set of practical actions shaped by the international working group. As a free standard, it makes that guidance accessible to employers and employees everywhere, helping organisations worldwide build healthier, more supportive workplaces and accelerate progress towards a fair society and a sustainable world.
With mandatory Menopause Action Plans expected to be introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025 in 2027, BS ISO 45010 gives businesses an opportunity to strengthen policies, prepare managers and improve retention ahead of the new requirement.
