Gender pay gap and menopause action plans

Implementation date: Expected 2027

The Employment Rights Act 2025 includes provision for a duty for larger employers to publish action plans showing the steps they are taking towards gender equality. 

Employers must publish plans showing steps taken to:

• address the gender pay gap; and
• support employees going through the menopause.

The detail of what is required will be set out in separate regulations.

The measure will apply to employers with 250 or more employees. It will not apply to organisations in the public sector where specific equality duties already apply. 

In its Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update, the Government has said that organisations will be able to publish action plans voluntarily from April 2026 and the mandatory requirement will take effect in 2027.

The Government has published guidance for employers: 

• Creating an action plan: guidance for employers

• Review policies and procedures to meet the needs of employees experiencing menopause