Benefit covers employees of government-owned corporations, Queensland Rail, Seqwater
Around 24,000 employees in Queensland will receive reproductive health leave benefits starting September 30, Premier Steven Miles announced on Tuesday.
Miles announced that the government will provide 10 days of leave for reproductive health care for all employees of government-owned corporations, Queensland Rail, and Seqwater.
The non-cumulative leave can be used for the treatment of conditions including preventative health measures, screenings, IVF, hysterectomy, vasectomy, chronic conditions like endometriosis, dysmenorrhea or severe menopause.
"Today, we make history again with the announcement that some of the best workplace entitlements in the nation will be extended to even more Queensland workers," Miles said in the announcement.
"My government knows we have an enormous opportunity as the state's largest employer to lead the way when it comes to supporting workers and their families."
The announcement expands the coverage of the government's 10-day reproductive health leave to public sector employees, a nation-leading benefit that will help around 265,000 Queensland employees.
The new leave entitlements also add to the growing benefits enjoyed by employees under Government-Owned Corporations, Queensland Rail, and Seqwater.
Starting this month, the government also started paying these employees' superannuation on all parental leave, whether the period was paid or unpaid.
"This means that super will be paid for every single week of the entire 52-week period of parental leave, whether the leave is paid or not," said Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace in a statement.
"This is yet another demonstration of this government's unwavering dedication to supporting the workforce to be safer, fairer, healthier and more productive."
