TORY ministers have rejected calls from a parliamentary committee to launch a trial of menopause work leave, describing the proposal “unnecessary and counterproductive.”

The pilot scheme was recommended by the women and equalities committee in a report published last July.

The report also put forward a proposal to change employment law in order to better protect the rights of women experiencing the menopause, by making it a “protected characteristic” under the Equality Act. 

However this was also rejected by the government on Tuesday over fears the change could inadvertently lead to discrimination risks towards men suffering from long-term medical conditions. 

Responding, the committee’s Tory chairwoman Caroline Nokes said the decision to reject the proposals constituted a missed opportunity to stop “vast numbers of talented and experienced women from quitting their jobs.” 

In a letter to health minister Maria Caulfield, Ms Nokes wrote: “The evidence to our inquiry was crystal clear that urgent action was needed across healthcare and work settings to properly address women’s needs, yet government progress has been glacial and its response complacent.”

GP and menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson described the government response as “another example of how women’s health is being ignored.”

Former model Penny Lancaster, ambassador for charity Wellbeing of Women and who has been outspoken on her own struggles with the menopause, said she is felt “deflated” by the government’s decision.

A government spokesperson said ministers were working with the NHS to improve menopause care, adding that employers are encouraged to be “compassionate and flexible to the needs of their employees.”