Women’s Workplace Health Overlooked: RCM Calls for Urgent Action

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is urging employers and policymakers to prioritise women's health and safety at work, highlighting critical gaps in workplace protections. At the TUC Women’s Conference, the organisation stressed the need for dedicated spaces for breastfeeding, menopause support, and stronger protections against workplace violence, issues that disproportionately affect women yet remain overlooked.

Despite women making up 75% of the NHS workforce and millions more working across the UK, gendered workplace health concerns are still not given the attention they deserve. The RCM is campaigning for more women to become health and safety representatives, ensuring these issues are addressed at the decision-making level.

Why Workplace Health and Safety is Failing Women

From lack of breastfeeding facilities to unsafe working conditions, women continue to face systemic challenges that impact their well-being. Many return to work after maternity leave only to find there are no designated areas to express or store breast milk, while others struggle with menopausal symptoms in environments that lack basic accommodations.

“For those dealing with menopausal symptoms, simple workplace adjustments—like installing cooling systems, relaxing uniform policies, or allowing flexible shifts—can make an enormous difference,”

says Alice Sorby, RCM’s Director for Employment Relations.

However, many women hesitate to request these adjustments due to stigma and lack of awareness among employers.

Menopause: The Hidden Workplace Struggle

The impact of menopause on work life is profound, yet many employers fail to make necessary changes. Research shows that one in ten women leave their jobs due to severe menopausal symptoms, while many more struggle in silence.

Recommended workplace adjustments include:

Flexible working hours to manage fatigue and sleep disturbances
Cooling systems or fans in workspaces to help with hot flushes
Updated uniform policies to allow for lighter, breathable fabrics
Menopause awareness training for managers to create a supportive culture

Despite these relatively simple solutions, many workplaces still lack formal menopause policies, forcing women to either cope or leave the workforce.

Workplace Violence and Lone Working: The Risks Women Face

Beyond physiological health concerns, the safety of women at work is another major issue. Midwives, maternity support workers (MSWs), and other healthcare professionals frequently face verbal abuse, harassment, and even physical aggression, especially when working alone or on night shifts.

“Midwives and MSWs work in emotionally charged environments and often face aggression from patients, relatives, or even members of the public [...] Lone working, particularly at night, makes these risks even greater,”

says RCM activist Catherine Cargill.

The RCM is calling for:

Better security measures in hospitals and healthcare settings
Stronger policies to report and prevent violence
Adequate staffing levels to reduce lone working risks

The efforts of RCM health and safety reps have already led to progress, particularly in recognising the risks of nitrous oxide exposure in maternity units due to poor ventilation. Thanks to their advocacy, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has now established a dedicated guidance page on the issue, helping to protect thousands of workers.

Government Under Pressure to Prioritise Women’s Health

The RCM’s workplace safety campaign aligns with a broader push to improve women’s healthcare nationwide. Ahead of International Women’s Day, the RCM joined forces with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and 47 other women’s health organisations in an open letter to the government, calling for urgent action.

What Needs to Change?

The letter outlines five key demands:

Investment in reducing gynaecology waiting lists, which have skyrocketed due to NHS underfunding.
More funding for maternity services, ensuring better recruitment and retention of midwives.
Expansion of women’s health hubs, providing local, accessible healthcare.
Addressing health inequalities, including disparities in maternal deaths and gynaecological cancer outcomes.
Cross-government coordination, ensuring women’s health is a long-term priority.

Polling by the RCOG reveals that only 5% of women believe the government treats women’s health as a priority, while 46% report difficulty accessing essential services.

The Case for Women’s Health Hubs

One of the most significant recommendations is the expansion of women’s health hubs—a model that integrates gynaecological care, contraception, menopause support, and maternity services in one location. Early trials have shown that these hubs can:

Reduce waiting times
Improve patient experience
Ease pressure on the NHS

However, without sustained investment, these hubs remain out of reach for most women.

A Turning Point for Women’s Health?

With the government’s 10-Year Health Plan and upcoming Spending Review, advocates see a critical opportunity to enact lasting change.

"By investing in 51 percent of the UK population, they [the Government] have an opportunity to not only improve women’s health and tackle inequalities but also save the NHS money and drive economic growth,”

says Dr Ranee Thakar, RCOG President.

The Road Ahead

The message from campaigners is clear: women’s health and safety at work—and beyond—can no longer be an afterthought. From better workplace protections to system-wide NHS reforms, real investment is needed to improve the lives of women across the UK.

With mounting pressure from health organisations, unions, and the public, the government must decide; will they take meaningful action, or will women’s health remain on the back burner?

For more information, visit https://rcm.org.uk/