A report from the Senate inquiry into issues related to menopause and perimenopause has been tabled in Parliament, calling for major workplace reforms to be more inclusive for women and gender-diverse people.
Among the 25 recommendations in the report included introducing paid, gender-inclusive reproductive leave in workplaces.
Greens Senator Larissa Waters chaired the Inquiry and tabled the report on Wednesday afternoon.
“Despite menopause affecting more than half the population, there is a shocking lack of federal policy addressing its impacts on women’s health, work, and quality of life,” Senator Waters wrote in a post on social media.
“The Committee heard horror stories from women trying to obtain a diagnosis and treatment, as well as women feeling they had to resign or work fewer hours due to unsympathetic workplaces.
“This report makes clear that more flexible work policies, affordable treatments, and proper education are needed. We call on the Government to implement these recommendations and end the silence around menopause.”
The Senate inquiry received 285 submissions and held seven public hearings over the course of nearly a year. From the inquiry came 25 recommendations in the report.
One of the recommendations included making menopause a reason to access flexible working arrangements under the Fair Work Act. This would ensure flexible working arrangements are enshrined in legislation and workers seeking leave for menopause are not “at the whim of their manager”, Women’s Legal Services Australia said during the inquiry.
Workplaces are also urged to consult with employees to develop policies for perimenopause and menopause tailored to its employees and workplace environment.
The report also recommended introducing paid, gender-inclusive reproductive leave in workplaces. This would assist workers who not only experience menopause and perimenopause, but also painful periods, endometriosis, IVF treatments and more. Gender-inclusive reproductive leave would also allow men to use the leave for vasectomies, or to attend their partner’s ultrasound.
A shortage in Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) has stopped people experiencing severe symptoms of menopause from accessing the care and treatment they need. The report recommends the government address this shortage and ensure MHT is affordable and accessible to those who need it.
Responses
Advocates in the women’s health space have welcomed the tabling of Senator Waters’ Senate inquiry report.
Grace Molloy, the CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia, said it was a historic day for women.
“Whether you like it or not, menopause is impacting your workplace right now. 1.1 million women in Australia and New Zealand are experiencing severe symptoms of menopause, not just hot flushes; migraines, anxiety, brain fog, depression, joint pain, insomnia, heavy bleeding, irritability,” Molloy said.
“These symptoms can’t be left at the door when we go to work, we’re bringing them with us. Women in mid-life are the fabric of our workplace cultures and deserve to be seen, heard and valued.
“Being menopause friendly is about acknowledging that menopause can be a challenge for some people, but with the right support, awareness and workplace policies, people can continue to thrive at work.”
CEO of Jean Hailes Dr Sarah White also welcomed the report, especially the recommendation to improve healthcare professional education: the inquiry heard that some medical students received just one hour of education on menopause and perimenopause symptoms in their studies.
“Jean Hailes strongly supports the recommendations for improved menopause education in medical training and public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma,” Dr White said.
“These initiatives are crucial for ensuring that women receive accurate information and appropriate care during this life stage.”
Inclusivity for reproductive leave is also one of the key points from the recommendations, Dr White said.
“Not all women will struggle with severe menopausal symptoms,” she said. “Some might struggle instead with endometriosis or migraines. Our approach must be to create inclusive workplace policies that support all employees through various life stages and health challenges.
“It’s great to see a call for more comprehensive research, particularly on how women from multicultural and First Nations communities experience menopause and the economic impacts of menopause on women’s workforce participation. This information will be fundamental to informing evidence-based policies and support systems.”