HSU urges federal government to make reproductive health leave a national employment standard
The Health Services Union has used its submission to the Inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standard to argue for universal reproductive health leave.
HSU, along with other unions, has been campaigning for 12 days of paid leave for reproductive health issues.
The leave would cover speciality appointments and treatments relating to reproductive organs, including screenings for breast and prostate cancer, or the management of symptoms related to reproductive health, including periods, perimenopause, PCOS, endometriosis, vasectomy and hysterectomy, miscarriage and medical pregnancy terminations and IVF.
“Reproductive health is clearly a workplace issue. We know one in 10 women live with endometriosis in Australia, one in six couples will experience fertility issues and one in seven men will also have a prostate issue. We need a leave policy to reflect this burden,” Health Services Union National Senior Assistant Secretary Kate Marshall said.
“We know women are disproportionately affected by a lack of reproductive health leave. A study of 20,000 workers found 90% of working women experience debilitating period pain and 40% were forced to take days off to cope with that.
“Those women are eating into their annual or sick leave, or taking leave without pay or they are going to work and gritting and bearing it because they have no other choice. This has a massive impact on the economy and the mental wellbeing of employees,” Kate Marshall said.
Research conducted by Bankwest Curtin University, which was released last year, found the lack of a universal reproductive health leave policy was costing the economy more than $21 billion a year in lost productivity and absenteeism and presenteeism.
“This research proves it makes economic sense to give workers, especially women who represent half the population, some dignity and agency through a reproductive health leave policy,” Kate Marshall said.
The submission features experiences from workers navigating reproductive health challenges at work, showing the need for urgent change.
“Workers, especially frontline health workers who are predominantly women, shouldn’t be forced to take sick or annual leave, or come to work in pain, because they are managing period pain, which is extremely common for women,” HSU Senior National Industrial Officer Louise de Plater said.
“Hearing the experiences of our members and workers, it’s clear we need a leave policy which acknowledges reproductive health challenges, and doesn’t stigmatise them,” she said.
HSU has used its submission to highlight the Bankwest Curtin University study, which found the cost implementing a 12 day reproductive health leave policy would cost a fraction of what the hit it is estimated to have on the economy.
The report found the 12 day proposal would cost an average of $3.6 billion, but would save $1.88 billion for businesses directly, and would boost mental health among workers and employee loyalty.
Contact details:
Matt Coughlan: 0400 561 480
