Unions criticise ‘demeaning’ gift bag for menopausal staff at Avanti West Coast

Aslef said train company’s handout to women was ‘insulting gimmick’, while TSSA called it ‘dismissive’ and belittling

A gift bag designed for menopausal women working at Avanti West Coast containing a fan and a jelly baby has been denounced as “demeaning” and an “insulting gimmick” by rail unions.

The pack included a fan for hot sweats, a jelly baby sweet “in case you feel like biting someone’s head off”, a tissue “if you’re feeling a bit emotional” and a paperclip “to help you keep it all together”.