{"id":2203764,"date":"2026-10-17T05:32:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T02:32:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2203764"},"modified":"2026-10-17T05:32:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T02:32:41","slug":"trade-unions-push-for-eu-law-to-address-menopause-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2203764","title":{"rendered":"Trade unions push for EU law to address menopause at work"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/53\/78\/1200x675_cmsv2_c8f28c4c-5992-5fd6-98c4-a2592df8e8c4-9955378.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2933912-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933912\" data-cid=\"9953528\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933912-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/35\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_2545eead-e301-5487-97ff-0d3879ec968f-9953528.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen delivers her speech in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, 13 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Ukraine aid and EU budget cuts: What does Le Pen mean for the EU?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934422-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2934422\" data-cid=\"9956346\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934422-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police run towards students during a march to protest against under-resourced schools in Paris, 13 October 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France braces for fresh protests as security fears take centre stage\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933506-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2933506\" data-cid=\"9951297\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933506-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/12\/97\/189x106_cmsv2_0f08de75-4f31-5061-b542-968cd0fb2589-9951297.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers making jewellery in Pandora&apos;s new factory\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Business<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside the world\u2019s biggest fine jewellery factory: Pandora\u2019s next bet\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Health<\/p>\n<p>                          Health news<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Trade unions push for EU law to address menopause at work<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/53\/78\/1536x864_cmsv2_c8f28c4c-5992-5fd6-98c4-a2592df8e8c4-9955378.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Around 85 % of women experience at least one symptom; for 25 to 30 %, symptoms are moderate to severe.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Around 85 % of women experience at least one symptom; for 25 to 30 %, symptoms are moderate to severe.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Canva<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Canva\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGiedre Peseckyte\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1792215161\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-10-17 07:32:41 +02:00\">17\/10\/2026 &#8211; 7:32 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span 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class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The European Trade Union Confederation wants menopause enshrined in EU workplace legislation, as the European Parliament examines the issue and the Commission stops short of proposing a dedicated strategy.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--health js-article-content\">\n<p>The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which represents 45 million members across 41 European countries, is pushing for menopause to be recognised in EU workplace law, arguing that a lack of support is costing women earnings, career opportunities and pension income.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWomen\u2019s work-related health risks remain largely ignored by the law, which remains orientated around male-dominated jobs,\u201d said ETUC Deputy General Secretary Isabelle Sch\u00f6mann. \u201cIt\u2019s high time that the law caught up with the reality of the whole workforce today and the risks facing them.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The push comes as the European Parliament examines a report calling for menopause to be treated as an economic, employment and social issue, while the European Commission has stopped short of proposing a dedicated EU menopause strategy.<\/p>\n<p>Menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, affects a significant proportion of the workforce. Around 30% of women experience symptoms that affect their capacity to work, including fatigue, sleep disruption, hot flushes, joint pain, anxiety and difficulties concentrating. Around 85 % of women experience at least one of those symptoms. <\/p>\n<p>Research cited by the confederation found that women&#8217;s earnings in Norway fell by 7.4% by the fourth year after a menopause diagnosis, with reduced working hours, sick leave and missed promotions contributing to the decline.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLoss of pay, lost promotions, and lower pensions is the price being paid by millions of women for the failure to adapt work to the menopause,\u201d Sch\u00f6mann said.<\/p>\n<h2>Pressure builds for EU action<\/h2>\n<p>The campaign comes amid growing recognition of menopause in the EU&#8217;s gender equality agenda, although concrete workplace protections remain largely a matter for national legislation and employers.<\/p>\n<p>In November 2025, Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said the Commission was not planning a dedicated EU strategy on menopause, while pointing to research projects funded through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe addressing its medical and social impacts.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission has since included menopause in its Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030, published in March. The strategy commits to exchanging national best practices on tackling menstrual and menopause poverty and to a study, planned for 2028, on the economic and societal benefits of closing the women&#8217;s health gap, including menopause.<\/p>\n<p>The commitments mark a shift towards recognising menopause in the EU&#8217;s wider equality agenda, but stop short of proposing dedicated legislation setting out workplace rights for menopausal employees.<\/p>\n<p>The European Parliament is seeking to push the issue further. Spanish Socialist MEP Lina G\u00e1lvez is leading a draft report titled Menopause beyond a health issue: turning menopause into an economic, working and social priority. <\/p>\n<p>The draft, which will be further discussed at the plenary session only next year, calls for a dedicated EU strategy, broader research, public campaigns to challenge stigma, better workplace support and improved access to healthcare.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is therefore essential to have an EU strategy that includes broader and more inclusive EU research, evidence-based public campaigns to change the social perceptions, improved workplace support and improved access to healthcare,\u201d G\u00e1lvez wrote in the draft report. \u201cIt is time for the EU to tackle menopause.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The report remains a parliamentary initiative, rather than adopted EU policy.<\/p>\n<h2>Unions want changes at work<\/h2>\n<p>For the ETUC, the priority is to ensure that menopause is reflected in the way workplaces are organised and regulated.<\/p>\n<p>Its demands include risk assessments covering workplace temperature, ventilation and facilities; flexible hours and remote working; training for managers and human resources staff; and physical adjustments such as temperature controls and ergonomic equipment.<\/p>\n<p>The confederation also wants menopause policies negotiated with trade unions, then implemented and monitored, alongside free menstrual and menopause products at work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe way work is organised can make a crucial difference in deciding the impact of the menopause,\u201d Sch\u00f6mann said, adding that unions are already negotiating collective agreements covering workplace adjustments and flexible arrangements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2933963-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933963\" data-cid=\"9953762\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933963-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/37\/62\/480x270_cmsv2_0ae1ddbd-f5a5-5619-9937-c347c020f23b-9953762.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Researchers keep mosquitoes in a laboratory enclosure to study mosquito-borne diseases at the Italian National Institute of Health in Rome. Sept. 18, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    West Nile virus cases in Europe hit record highs as it spreads north<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933947-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933947\" data-cid=\"9953672\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933947-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/36\/72\/480x270_cmsv2_d9794c7a-fc2f-5aa6-83d0-54a67264448f-9953672.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Health workers and officials walk outside a Ebola isolation facility at The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya reports second Ebola case but sees no wider spread<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933689-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933689\" data-cid=\"9952422\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933689-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/24\/22\/480x270_cmsv2_3b9d21cd-5578-5088-a8b1-436fe23672e8-9952422.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The first step towardson mental health at work is to \u2018actually talk about it\u2019, says EU agency.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mental health at work starts by breaking the taboo<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Hadja Lahbib<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Commission<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  menopause<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  news<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Trade unions<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2933963-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933963\" data-cid=\"9953762\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933963-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/37\/62\/320x180_cmsv2_0ae1ddbd-f5a5-5619-9937-c347c020f23b-9953762.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Researchers keep mosquitoes in a laboratory enclosure to study mosquito-borne diseases at the Italian National Institute of Health in Rome. 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alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933963-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933963\" data-cid=\"9953762\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933963-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/37\/62\/480x270_cmsv2_0ae1ddbd-f5a5-5619-9937-c347c020f23b-9953762.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Researchers keep mosquitoes in a laboratory enclosure to study mosquito-borne diseases at the Italian National Institute of Health in Rome. 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Sept. 18, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    West Nile virus cases in Europe hit record highs as it spreads north<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933947-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933947\" data-cid=\"9953672\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933947-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/36\/72\/320x180_cmsv2_d9794c7a-fc2f-5aa6-83d0-54a67264448f-9953672.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Health workers and officials walk outside a Ebola isolation facility at The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya reports second Ebola case but sees no wider spread<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933689-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933689\" data-cid=\"9952422\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933689-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/24\/22\/320x180_cmsv2_3b9d21cd-5578-5088-a8b1-436fe23672e8-9952422.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The first step towardson mental health at work is to \u2018actually talk about it\u2019, says EU agency.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mental health at work starts by breaking the taboo<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933405-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933405\" data-cid=\"9950988\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933405-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/09\/88\/320x180_cmsv2_050a7658-b04c-5edb-94e6-452946d6994b-9950988.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Prolonged sleep disruption may have more serious consequences than a few restless nights.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Climate change is putting Europe\u2019s brain health at risk<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933047-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933047\" data-cid=\"9949091\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933047-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/90\/91\/320x180_cmsv2_ced24d8a-2b4e-5f4b-ab95-f64e315b015b-9949091.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" Ricardo Baptista Leite, CEO of HealthAI, the global agency for responsible AI\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Can AI help healthcare move from treatment to prevention?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933963-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933963\" data-cid=\"9953762\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    West Nile virus cases in Europe hit record highs as it spreads north<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933689-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933689\" data-cid=\"9952422\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mental health at work starts by breaking the taboo<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933663-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933663\" data-cid=\"9952447\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     Lung surgery technique on Pope was developed in Spain<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933947-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933947\" data-cid=\"9953672\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya reports second Ebola case but sees no wider spread<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2362642-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2362642\" data-cid=\"7870952\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    COVID: Should we fear a new winter wave?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which represents 45 million members across 41 European countries, is pushing for menopause to be recognised in EU workplace law, arguing that a lack of support is costing women earnings, career opportunities and pension income.\u201cWomen\u2019s work-related health risks remain largely ignored by the law, which remains orientated around male-dominated jobs,\u201d said ETUC Deputy General Secretary Isabelle Sch\u00f6mann. \u201cIt\u2019s high time that the law caught up with the reality of the whole workforce today and the risks facing them.\u201d\u00a0The push comes as the European Parliament examines a report calling for menopause to be treated as an economic, employment and social issue, while the European Commission has stopped short of proposing a dedicated EU menopause strategy.Menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, affects a significant proportion of the workforce. Around 30% of women experience symptoms that affect their capacity to work, including fatigue, sleep disruption, hot flushes, joint pain, anxiety and difficulties concentrating. Around 85\u00a0% of women experience at least one of those symptoms.Research cited by the confederation found that women&#8217;s earnings in Norway fell by 7.4% by the fourth year after a menopause diagnosis, with reduced working hours, sick leave and missed promotions contributing to the decline.\u201cLoss of pay, lost promotions, and lower pensions is the price being paid by millions of women for the failure to adapt work to the menopause,\u201d Sch\u00f6mann said.Pressure builds for EU actionThe campaign comes amid growing recognition of menopause in the EU&#8217;s gender equality agenda, although concrete workplace protections remain largely a matter for national legislation and employers.In November 2025, Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said the Commission was not planning a dedicated EU strategy on menopause, while pointing to research projects funded through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe addressing its medical and social impacts.The Commission has since included menopause in its Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030, published in March. The strategy commits to exchanging national best practices on tackling menstrual and menopause poverty and to a study, planned for 2028, on the economic and societal benefits of closing the women&#8217;s health gap, including menopause.The commitments mark a shift towards recognising menopause in the EU&#8217;s wider equality agenda, but stop short of proposing dedicated legislation setting out workplace rights for menopausal employees.The European Parliament is seeking to push the issue further. Spanish Socialist MEP Lina G\u00e1lvez is leading a draft report titled Menopause beyond a health issue: turning menopause into an economic, working and social priority.\u00a0The draft, which will be further discussed at the plenary session only next year, calls for a dedicated EU strategy, broader research, public campaigns to challenge stigma, better workplace support and improved access to healthcare.\u201cIt is therefore essential to have an EU strategy that includes broader and more inclusive EU research, evidence-based public campaigns to change the social perceptions, improved workplace support and improved access to healthcare,\u201d G\u00e1lvez wrote in the draft report. \u201cIt is time for the EU to tackle menopause.\u201dThe report remains a parliamentary initiative, rather than adopted EU policy.Unions want changes at workFor the ETUC, the priority is to ensure that menopause is reflected in the way workplaces are organised and regulated.Its demands include risk assessments covering workplace temperature, ventilation and facilities; flexible hours and remote working; training for managers and human resources staff; and physical adjustments such as temperature controls and ergonomic equipment.The confederation also wants menopause policies negotiated with trade unions, then implemented and monitored, alongside free menstrual and menopause products at work.\u201cThe way work is organised can make a crucial difference in deciding the impact of the menopause,\u201d Sch\u00f6mann said, adding that unions are already negotiating collective agreements covering workplace adjustments and flexible arrangements.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/17\/trade-unions-push-for-eu-law-to-address-menopause-at-work&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/53\/78\/1200x675_cmsv2_c8f28c4c-5992-5fd6-98c4-a2592df8e8c4-9955378.jpg&#8221;] Europe News No Ukraine aid and EU budget cuts: What does Le Pen mean for the EU? USA Trump signs executive order waiving new Russia sanctions Europe News France braces for fresh protests as security fears take centre stage Business Inside the world\u2019s biggest fine jewellery factory: Pandora\u2019s next bet Health Health [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2203764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2203764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2203764"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2203764\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2203764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2203764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2203764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}