**Employers Under Pressure to Support Women’s Attendance at Cervical Screening Appointments**
Employers across the UK are facing growing calls to provide paid time off for female staff to attend cervical screening appointments, after new research revealed that work commitments continue to be a significant barrier to participation in these crucial health checks.
The Lady Garden Foundation, a charity dedicated to gynaecological cancer awareness, has spearheaded the latest campaign urging businesses to make it easier for women to prioritise their health. The initiative comes ahead of Cervical Screening Awareness Week, set to run from 19 to 24 June, highlighting the need for supportive workplace policies.
Recent findings from the charity have brought to light the extent of the issue. More than a third of women surveyed admitted they had postponed cervical screening due to work pressures, with a similar proportion revealing they have been forced to take annual leave in order to attend appointments. Moreover, 16% of respondents reported that their employers explicitly required them to book personal time off for this purpose.
Perhaps even more concerning is the perception many women hold about workplace attitudes toward cervical screening. Nearly one-third of those surveyed suggested their employer would not view cervical screening as a legitimate reason for absence. This suggests a persistent stigma or lack of understanding that may prevent women from seeking vital preventative healthcare.
There is, however, a clear appetite for change among the workforce. Almost half of the women polled believe companies should actively provide paid leave for health screenings. Furthermore, more than three-quarters said women should have a guaranteed legal right to attend these appointments without financial penalty.
Despite these strong opinions, the research uncovered a gap in employer support: more than half of respondents said they were unaware of any formal workplace policy that would allow women time off for screening. With over 16 million women over sixteen employed in Britain, the lack of standardised provisions could have wide-reaching consequences for public health.
Jenny Halpern Prince MBE, CEO and Co-Founder of the Lady Garden Foundation, weighed in on the findings, warning that NHS England estimates five million women are not currently up to date with their cervical screenings. She stressed the importance of employer responsibility: “It’s essential that businesses not only provide time off for screening but also foster open conversations in the workplace.” Prince highlighted that 60% of women would be encouraged to attend if workplaces were more open about these topics.
Cervical cancer, most commonly diagnosed in women between 30 and 34, can surface at any age – underscoring the critical importance of regular screening for early detection. NHS data shows that in the last year, more than five million women in England were due a screening, yet only 3.25 million attended. Such appointments, paired with HPV vaccinations, can prevent the overwhelming majority of cervical cancer cases.
In response to these figures, the Lady Garden Foundation has introduced two new ‘Public Cervix Announcement’ toolkits, offering separate guides for both employers and employees. These resources, accessible via the charity’s website, aim to demystify the process and help workplaces implement effective supportive measures.
As this campaign gains traction during Cervical Screening Awareness Week, attention is now turning to whether employers and legislators will take further action. For many women, the hope is that taking care of their health will no longer require sacrificing their job security or income.
The call echoes a broader conversation about the role of employers in supporting employee wellbeing beyond basic compliance, as campaigners continue to argue that genuine occupational health policies can make a tangible difference to women’s lives, morale, and long-term health outcomes.