Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2021 to Question 63830, on Prison Officers: Menopause, what assessment she has made of the validity of the Equality Assessment for Fitness Testing in the context of further specialist medical advice.

1. PQ 135588

The HMPPS annual fitness test policy allows for an alternative fitness test for prison officers with an underlying medical condition, injury or suffering from any specific side effects relating to the menopause.

HMPPS published a new Fitness Test policy and toolkit in November 2021 which outlines the support for employees to pass the test through the line manager, fitness testing team, establishment PE officers or referral to occupational health. The toolkit specifically gives information for staff displaying symptoms of peri menopause and menopause and the process for delaying the fitness test if required and relevant support available.

Staff presenting with menopausal symptoms at their fitness test will require a holistic approach to ensure their safety and ability to undertake the test. The occupational health clinical context in conjunction with the Fitness Test policy takes into account an individual’s needs with impartiality and their functional capacity regarding ability to take the fitness test. This Fitness Test policy must be applied in a fair and equitable manner and in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and to ensure compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

2. PQ 135589

Information in relation to menopause has been added to the occupational health user guide with intranet links to the HMPPS fitness test policy and toolkit, HMPPS menopause toolkit, supporting the workplace in menopause (SWIM), championing women in the workplace group, employee assistance programme and occupational health.

The OH provider has launched a workplace wellbeing platform which offers links to the above and articles, podcasts and information on menopause in the workplace and the available support both within the workplace and external information.