Women being failed by the places they work in

IN workplaces across the North East, too many women are being failed by systems that were never designed with them in mind.

- DAVID PIKE

Health should be protected by work, not undermined by it - but for countless women across our region, it is doing the opposite.

In sectors like care, cleaning, and health services - all disproportionately staffed by women - the risks are higher, protections weaker, and ill health all too common. It is no surprise that long-term sickness rates among women are climbing.

Nationally, 1.5m women are now off work due to ill health. Behind every statistic is a story of someone struggling to stay in work while managing chronic pain, mental ill health or conditions worsened by exposure at work.