Half of April Atol renewals still due Ian Taylor


The Civil Aviation Authority has appealed to Atol holders needing licences renewed by April 1 to submit applications urgently, with almost half of those due to renew yet to submit applications. CAA head of Atol Michael Budge


urged: “Please get applications in. We have about 660 renewals in March and 50% are still yet to apply. We’re less than one month away, and we’ll lose Easter [March 29-31].” Speaking at an Abta Travel


Finance Conference in London last week, Budge revealed: “About 301 Atol renewals have been granted, but 315 companies are still to apply. I would encourage


people to put applications in quickly. “If you’re worried, ring us and


let’s have the discussion because we don’t want to have it on the last day of the month.” Budge insisted “there is no


change in approach, no change in conditions” and suggested some renewals could be simpler than in the past, noting: “Businesses increasingly have a better handle on their financial position – on their customer payments and prepayments.” He told Travel Weekly: “The


financial conditions might be difficult but it’s better to have a conversation early. We want businesses to come to us as soon as they can. Engagement is important on Atol renewal. It becomes hard to manage [without it].”


Industry praised for menopause support policies


Lucy Huxley


The government’s first menopause employment champion has praised the travel industry for its support of menopausal working women. Helen Tomlinson made her


comments at Travel Weekly’s Inspiring Women lunch last week ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8). A straw poll of the 30 female


travel bosses at the event found almost half have policies supporting menopausal employees. Tomlinson added: “What I really


loved to see was the understanding that a policy in isolation isn’t enough – it needs to be accompanied


6 7 MARCH 2024


by a programme of education, colleague allyship, storytelling of lived experience and support from leadership.” Tomlinson, who is head of talent


and inclusion at recruitment specialist The Adecco Group, was appointed last year to spearhead a national drive to support menopausal working women. “Menopause is an entirely natural


but sometimes difficult period affecting 51% of the population,” said Tomlinson. “Women over 50 are the fastest-growing demographic in the workplace and when employers provide education and allyship, which creates cultural change, they can go on to have arguably the most productive


and fulfilling time in their careers.” Almost four million women aged


45-55 are employed in the UK but Tomlinson warned that a lack of awareness and treatment negatively affects productivity. Those with serious symptoms take an average of 32 weeks of leave, while one in four women have considered giving up their job because of the menopause. Tomlinson’s comments follow


news that employers could be sued if they fail to make “reasonable adjustments” for menopausal women under guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission last month. Ami Naru , Travlaw’s head


If you’re worried,


ring us and let’s have the discussion – we don’t want to have it on the last day of the month


Budge noted the renewals work


on the basis of “last in, last out” and said: “People submit last-minute renewal applications because they’re worried. But being early gives us time to do something about it. “ Companies that fail to submit


renewals in time can temporarily ‘lose’ their Atol, even if it’s subsequently renewed, meaning they can’t sell Atol-protected


holidays for a period without breaching the regulations. Budge told the conference there


is “renewed momentum” to the CAA’s proposed Atol reforms but added: “I’m not going to be drawn on when we’ll issue something.” Abta director of legal affairs


Simon Bunce told him: “We’re still not entirely sure what the problem is they [the CAA] are trying to fix. It’s imposing a level of change that seems entirely over the top.” Bunce noted: “There was a


specific problem with Thomas Cook. Absent of that, the Atol scheme works well. We don’t get a significant number of failures. I would hope a


more measured approach was taken.” i Business, page 47


Helen Tomlinson


of employment, commented: “While ‘menopause’ in itself is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, a woman treated less favourably because of her menopause symptoms could suffer discrimination. “Aside from legal considerations,


managing the effects of the menopause can be beneficial for the employer and employee.” Naru said menopause policies


now appear routinely in staff handbooks, adding: “There does appear to be a real change and appetite by some employers to help women. I would encourage employers in the travel industry to do the same.”


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Teri Pengilley


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