Over half of all women in the United States work and many have multiple jobs. Women are employed in a diverse array of industries and account for over half of essential workers in industries, such as education, health care, finance, and hospitality. More than 75% of women work throughout their perimenopause and menopause transition (which is typically in their 40s and 50s) and for years post menopause. The timing of these transitions often overlap with key career growth years, as they may pursue management or senior leadership positions.
 
One in four women have considered not pursuing or did not pursue a leadership opportunity due to experiences with perimenopause and menopause at work. One in three women considered reducing or reduced their workload. Two out of five women considered finding or find a new job. 
 
Some of the side-effects of working while during these transitions are insomnia, brain fog, difficulty with concentration, learning, and memory. Fluctuations in mood or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) irritability, and difficulty coping. Other symptoms that women reported disrupting their work included hot flashes, joint pain, depressive symptoms, and increased anxiety or panic attacks.
 
This legislation will make it unlawful for an employer to refuse an employee’s request for a reasonable accommodation, unless doing so would represent an undue hardship to the employer. Reasonable accommodations include providing temperature controlled work environments, dress code allowances, periodic rest or a chair for an employee who stands for a long period of time, ergonomic furniture, assistance with heavy lifting, access to drinking water, uncompensated break time and temporary job restructuring. Additionally, the legislation will forbid employers from denying employment opportunities to employees based on their request for accommodations. I believe this is a commonsense proposal that protects women’s health, while at the same time not imposing a significant burden on our state’s employers. 

Please join me in sponsoring this legislation.