London, November 30, 2025
Two UK local authorities, Cardiff Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, have recently committed to supporting employees with endometriosis through the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme, reflecting a growing movement to improve workplace accommodations for this chronic condition.
Council Commitments
Cardiff Council has formally joined the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme, pledging to create a supportive work environment for colleagues affected by endometriosis. Stoke-on-Trent City Council followed suit, becoming only the second local authority in England awarded this status, demonstrating a clear trend among councils to address menstrual health issues in the workplace.
About the Scheme
The Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme is administered by Endometriosis UK. It offers employers, including local authorities and NHS trusts, guidance on how to accommodate and support staff living with endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions. This formal recognition encourages workplaces to implement cultural and environmental changes that improve employee wellbeing and productivity.
Organizations participating in the scheme commit to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing practical help such as flexible working arrangements or adjustments tailored to the needs of those impacted. The scheme covers a variety of employer categories, enabling tailored support aligned with workforce demographics and needs.
Workplace Impact and Broader Significance
Endometriosis affects millions globally and often remains a hidden challenge within work environments, negatively impacting attendance and performance due to unmanaged symptoms. The recent endorsements by UK councils highlight an increasing acknowledgment of these challenges within public sector employment.
By adopting this scheme, councils signal a shift towards inclusive workplace policies that promote health equity. They set an example for other public and private sector employers to recognize the importance of menstrual health as part of occupational health strategies.
This movement aligns with broader societal calls for improved support for chronic health conditions in professional settings, ideally leading to enhanced retention and wellbeing among affected employees.
Such institutional commitments could pave the way for wider governmental support and potentially influence policy direction on worker health accommodations in the UK.
The growing participation in the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme represents tangible progress in creating workplaces that acknowledge and respond to the needs of employees with chronic conditions, fostering healthier, more supportive organizational cultures.