The council has become the first endometriosis-friendly local authority in the north of England.
Councillors unanimously voted to become an endometriosis-friendly employer at Borough Council recently.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Ceri Cawley has suffered from the condition which can cause debilitating pain in women since she was in her early 20s and pushed for the move with the support of Cllr Ursula Earl, Cabinet Member for Health, Welfare and Housing.
The council has now signed up to charity Endometriosis UK’s campaign to increase awareness of the condition and understanding from employers. The only other local authorities to sign up so far are Southwark and Stoke.
Cllr Cawley is hoping to establish a support group in the borough and is campaigning for other employers to become endometriosis-friendly.
She told of her own experiences:
“I remember lying in the bath in absolute agony,” she recalled, “it was then I decided to look for support groups in the area. I couldn’t find a local group but did find Endometriosis UK. For years, I was forever going to the doctors only to be told it was IBS or a heavy period. I was told all sorts of reasons for this pain, all of them wrong. It needs to be talked about more.”
Endometriosis, occurs when cells, similar to those in the lining of a woman's womb, grow elsewhere in the body and can lead to severe pain and fertility problems.
The condition affects one in ten women and can cause severe pain and fertility problems. The council will encourage more understanding from managers and will encourage other employers to find out more.