WOMEN’S health concerns are often downplayed and dismissed by employers, resulting in many being forced out of their profession, the TUC women’s conference heard today.

In a motion brought forward by teachers’ union NASUWT, the conference in London raised concerns that despite women being disproportionately vulnerable to long-term inflammatory immune and other health conditions, many sickness-absence and health and safety policies fail to address their conditions.

The conference called on the TUC to campaign for greater awareness of intersectional gender-sensitive health and safety issues in schools, colleges and workplaces.