The Health Services Union (HSU) is calling for 12 days of reproductive leave to support workers experiencing menopause and other reproductive health challenges.
On World Menopause Day, The HSU is advocating for this critical workplace reform to address the often overlooked impact of menopause on employees’ health and productivity.
Reproductive health leave would cover IVF, severe menstrual pain, endometriosis, vasectomies, menopause, gender transitioning therapies and other health issues.
The HSU’s campaign calls on the Federal Government to make the 12-day entitlement part of the national employment standards, which set minimum conditions for workers.
HSU National Senior Assistant Secretary Kate Marshall said:
“Menopause is a natural stage of life that affects half the population, yet it remains a taboo subject at workplaces.
“Too many workers suffer in silence, afraid to speak up about the physical and emotional toll menopause takes on them.
“Women are being forced into early retirement with less superannuation because they can’t take time off to deal with menopause.
“We need to break the silence and the stigma around these issues.
“Introducing 12 days of reproductive leave is an essential step toward ensuring that our workplaces are more inclusive, supportive, and healthy.”
Visit the Reproductive Health Leave website.
Budget delivers reforms for health, disability and aged care but more urgency needed
The Health Services Union has urged the federal government to make an aged care worker registration scheme reality within 12 months instead of the two-year timeline outlined in the Budget.
HSU welcomes NDIS reforms to drive out dodgy providers and fix broken funding model
The Health Services Union has welcomed landmark NDIS reforms, saying the changes will help drive out rogue providers while delivering a fairer funding model for participants and workers.
HSU welcomes aged care reforms, warns worker protections must come first
The Health Services Union has welcomed the federal government’s $3 billion aged care funding announcement, while calling on the government to ensure workforce sustainability and worker protections are central to its reforms.