Should every Australian worker get paid reproductive leave?
From miscarriage to period pain, workers are calling for better support at work.
A federal inquiry in Australia is examining whether the National Employment Standards (NES) are still suitable, with some unions, lawyers, and advocates advocating for 10 days of non-cumulative paid reproductive leave in addition to current sick leave. This topic was brought to light by Georgia, a graphic designer in her 20s who experienced pregnancy loss at 13 weeks. She found it difficult to take sufficient time off work and faced a societal stigma around using period pain as an excuse to miss work.
The inquiry is also considering whether the leave should extend to cover fertility treatments, menstrual pain, menopause, and endometriosis. Some sources suggest men could also be eligible for reproductive leave for conditions such as prostate cancer screening or vasectomies. Proponents argue that reproductive leave would not replace the standard 10 days of sick leave but would provide additional support while acknowledging the importance of women's health in the workplace.
Several countries, including Spain, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Zambia, and several states in Mexico, have implemented policies recognizing the impact of menstrual health at work. Some Australian employers have already started offering menstrual and reproductive health leave or flexible work arrangements to support staff experiencing period pain and other reproductive health issues.
One advocate, Montana Lower, founder of a natural skincare business in New South Wales, believes that recognizing the natural fluctuations of the menstrual cycle has improved employee productivity and overall well-being. She supports universal reproductive leave, arguing that menstrual health should not be treated as an illness.
In 2024, the Queensland government provided about 320,000 public sector workers with 10 days of paid reproductive leave as part of a new agreement with unions. Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Jacqueline King hopes to see this expanded nationally. A study by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre estimated that reproductive health issues cost the Australian economy $21.3 billion annually, considering employee absences and reduced productivity.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
