New report: endometriosis at work, and what it means for you
Updated: 6 days ago
On Wednesday 14 October 2026, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Endometriosis published Endometriosis (Not) in the Workplace. It draws on more than 6,200 people with confirmed or suspected endometriosis and 250 employers.
This report paints one of the clearest pictures yet of just how much endometriosis can impact working life.
From sitting through meetings in severe pain to using annual leave for treatment or to manage pain and often debilitating symptoms, to missing out on career opportunities because of the unpredictable nature of the condition. These are the realities far too many people with endometriosis face every day, and this report brings those experiences to light.
We welcome this report and the important attention it brings to these experiences. Now we need to see that awareness translate into meaningful action and better support in the workplace.
What the report found
Of 6,239 people with confirmed or suspected endometriosis surveyed for the APPG report:
97% had worked while in severe pain
94% say employers lack a good understanding of endometriosis
76% said endometriosis reduced their productivity
73% had needed time off at short notice
62% worried about losing their job
55% had used annual leave instead of sick leave
49% received no workplace adjustments
49% struggled to progress their career
47% lost income, and 39% experienced financial hardship
40% turned down career opportunities, 39% reduced their hours, and 28% left a job
Of the 250 employers surveyed
On the employer side, 72% admitted their organisation gives no training or guidance on women’s health.
A message from Dr Rebecca Mallick
Such an important report. The figures are shocking, but sadly not surprising.
As clinicians, we see the impact endometriosis has on women’s lives every day. Not just the physical symptoms, but the impact on careers, financial independence and opportunities.
We talk a lot about improving diagnosis and treatment, and rightly so, but we also need to recognise the wider impact of this condition. Better workplace understanding, flexibility and support are essential.
Women should not have to choose between their health and their careers. We have raised awareness for years. Now we need meaningful action.
Know your rights at work
Endometriosis can be considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010, depending on how significantly and how long it affects your daily life. You don't need to consider yourself disabled or have a formal diagnosis to potentially qualify for protection.
Where the law applies, you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments to help you manage your condition at work.
These could include:
Flexible working hours or the option to work from home when symptoms are particularly difficult.
Time off or flexibility to attend medical appointments and treatment.
Additional breaks and easy access to toilet facilities.
Adjustments to sickness absence procedures to take disability-related absences into account.
A phased return to work following surgery or a period of illness.
Flexibility to attend counselling or other therapeutic appointments.
Employers have a legal responsibility to consider reasonable adjustments where the relevant requirements are met. You can speak to your manager, HR team or occupational health department about what support might help you.
For further guidance, visit Acas.
What happens next?
The findings of this report reflect what we've been hearing from our community for years.
Too many people are still struggling to get the understanding and support they need at work.
At The Endometriosis Foundation, we'll continue working with employers, supporting our community and contributing to conversations with policymakers to help change that.
We also want to see endometriosis and other fluctuating health conditions properly recognised within wider Government plans to improve workplace health and support people to remain in employment.
There's still a long way to go, but we'll keep making sure the experiences of people living with endometriosis are part of these conversations.
A message from our founder
We really welcome this report, although I can't say the findings come as much of a surprise. Having experienced first-hand the impact endometriosis can have on your working life, I know just how difficult it can be. And these are things we hear about from our community every single day. People struggling to stay in work, taking time off for treatment, losing income and sometimes having to give up careers they've worked incredibly hard for.
We've been raising these issues and having conversations with Government for years, so it's good to see them getting more attention. But I really hope this isn't where the conversation ends.
We need to keep the pressure on Government to prioritise endometriosis care, but employers have a part to play too. Better understanding and support in the workplace can make such a difference to someone's life.
Carla Cressy OBE, Founder & Chief Executive of The Endometriosis Foundation (left), pictured alongside Victoria Atkins MP (centre), then Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and Stef Williams (right), during a roundtable discussion at Downing Street.
The meeting marked the announcement of a Government evaluation into the impact of endometriosis on employment and career progression, aimed at improving understanding and identifying ways to better support those living with the condition in the workplace.
How you can help today
• Write to your MP. Endometriosis UK has a template letter asking MPs to press the Work and Pensions Secretary on how endometriosis will be included in the Workplace Health System. It takes five minutes.
• Have the conversation. If you need adjustments, you are entitled to ask. Our guide (coming soon) will help you prepare.
• Share this with your employer or HR team. Most don’t know what endometriosis is, let alone what helps.
• Tell us your story. What has made work easier or harder for you? Email us and we’ll use it (with your permission) in our work with employers.
If you’re finding things hard right now, our community is here. You don’t have to choose between your health and your career.
Sources and Support
Working together for better workplaces
We've been working with employers, organisations and policymakers to improve understanding of endometriosis and its impact on working life.
From contributing to policy discussions and advocating for better workplace support to delivering talks, Lunch & Learn sessions and training, we're committed to helping create workplaces where people with endometriosis feel understood and supported.
Bring the conversation to your workplace
Find out more about the ways we can support your organisation.
Comments