Although menopause is not classed as a disability, the Employment Tribunal has stated that certain symptoms associated with the menopause can be classed as a disability. This means a disability discrimination claim relating to menopause could be successful depending on the circumstances.
Under the Equality Act 2010, disability is defined as a “physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.” As stated above, certain symptoms of the menopause such as memory loss could fall under this category.