Union says change 'will have incredible benefits across the entire economy'
The Health Services Union (HSU) is calling on the Australian government to grant employees up to 12 days of paid reproductive leave.
"Making 12 days' reproductive leave part of the minimum entitlements for all workers will have incredible benefits across the entire economy," said Kate Marshall, HSU National Senior Assistant Secretary, in a statement.
"Women will be able to stay in the workforce longer, build more superannuation, and help us close the gender pay gap."
Reproductive health leave provides employees time off for contraception, endometriosis, fertility treatments, hormone therapy, hysterectomy, menstruation, miscarriage, pregnancy, polycystic ovarian syndrome, screenings for breast and prostate cancer, termination, and vasectomy.
The HSU's call to implement this leave entitlement comes after its landmark agreement with disability service provider Scope.
Under the agreement, hundreds of Scope employees in Victoria will receive 12 days of reproductive leave to cover for IVF, severe menstrual pain, endometriosis, vasectomies, menopause, gender-transitioning therapies, and other health issues.
"This landmark agreement is life-changing for thousands of disability care workers and their families," Marshall said.
Scope joins the growing list of employers in Australia that are offering paid reproductive leave, including Gallagher Bassett Australia.
The Queensland government also announced this year a 10-day paid reproductive health leave to employees of government-owned corporations, Queensland Rail, and Seqwater for 10 days of leave.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Queensland Council of Unions said they want Queensland's 10-day paid reproductive leave to be implemented across Australia.
"We need paid reproductive leave and flexible work arrangements in our National Employment Standards to ensure that all workers get access to these minimum standards rather than leave this to different workplaces to bargain for," said Jacqueline King, Queensland Council of Unions General Secretary, in a statement.
The campaign also comes amid women's early withdrawal from the labour market due to the lack of workplace support to address the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
According to ACTU, citing government data, women are retiring seven years before men on average, and 12 years before their desired retirement.
"Women in particular, are retiring far earlier than they would have if the workplace offered better support to manage reproductive health issues so they could be supported to remain in work," said ACTU president Michele O'Neil in a statement.
