Reproductive leave is a win-win solution: it reduces absenteeism, improves productivity, and allows workers to manage their health without fear or stigma
The lack of reproductive health leave in Australia is costing the economy $26.6 billion a year, according to an interim report from the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre.
The report, released on Monday, underscored that the lack of reproductive health leave is hitting the economy through lost productivity from missing workdays, working through pain and sickness, and retiring early due to reproductive conditions.
This leave entitlement would grant employees paid time off to address reproductive health conditions, such as, but not limited to, menstruation, menopause, IVF treatments, vasectomy, among others.
The report noted women with severe menstrual pain lost nearly nine days of productive days annually, while those experiencing menopause with severe symptoms may experience a 25% drop in productivity.
"This powerful research exposes the financial impact of ignoring reproductive health. The $26 billion annual cost isn't just an abstract number – it reflects real lives disrupted and real productivity lost," said Kate Marshall, National Senior Assistant Secretary for the Health Services Union (HSU), in a statement.
On the other hand, implementing a 12-day reproductive health leave for Australians would save the country so much more, according to the report.
It found that a 12-day reproductive leave will only cost employers $920 million annually. This is 30 times less than the productivity cost without it.
"This would be a game-changer for women dealing with painful periods, menopause and other reproductive health conditions," Marshall said.
"Reproductive leave is a win-win solution: it reduces absenteeism, improves productivity, and allows workers to manage their health without fear or stigma."
The Australian government has long been urged to introduce 12 days of reproductive health leave.
The HSU said last year that introducing the benefit would mean women will be able to stay in the workforce longer, build superannuation, and close the gender gap.
"Reproductive leave would be a game-changer for Australia and a world-first because we are pushing for the 12 days to be available to all genders," said Paul Healey, Health and Community Services Union HACSU Victorian Secretary, in a statement.
"Every worker, regardless of their reproductive health challenges, should be given the best chance possible to stay at work."
HSU is one of the groups that commissioned the economics centre to conduct the report. Other parties in the commission include Aware Super and the Queensland Council of Trade Unions.
