The Senate inquiry into issues related to menopause and perimenopause moves to Canberra today, where the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) will appear to make its submission calling for paid reproductive leave.
The Senate Community Affairs References Committee is expected to produce a report in September with recommendations to improve women’s workforce participation.
On average, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women are retiring seven years before men, and 12 years before they had initially planned to retire.
Today, the ACTU will tell the Senate inquiry committee that in fact one quarter of Australian working women are retiring before the age of 55.
ACTU President Michele O’Neil points to the lack of support workplaces provide for employees who experience perimenopause and menopause symptoms that can significantly impact their work.
“Despite the fact that half the population will go through menopause, it is not well understood, and the taboo nature of the subject often means there is a culture of silence and the impact on workers is hidden,” O’Neil said.
“As a result, women are retiring far earlier than they might if the workplace offered better support.”
Early retirement means many women are chipping into their retirement savings to get by. According to the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, early retirement due to menopause costs women in the 50-54 age group about $15 billion per year in earnings and superannuation for every year of early retirement.
To reduce the economic impact menopause and perimenopause can have on women, ACTU President Michele O’Neil said unions are calling for ten days of paid reproductive leave and flexible working arrangements across Australian workplaces.
“It will help workers, and especially women, to manage reproductive health issues and remain in work,” O’Neil said.
In May this year, the Queensland government announced public service workers would be entitled to ten days of paid reproductive leave. Employees can use this leave for treatment for menopause and perimenopause, endometriosis, IVF and other reproductive health issues. The Victorian government granted the same entitlements for its public servants in April this year.
“Last month the Liberal party opposed this right suggesting it will make employers reluctant to hire women,” O’Neil from the ACTU said.
“They say this every time unions campaign for workplace rights for women. Yet every time unions have won those campaigns – from equal pay to paid parental leave – women’s workforce participation has improved.
“These rights have made it easier for women to balance work and care and to fully and fairly participate in the workforce. That’s exactly what paid reproductive leave would do.”
The Senate inquiry will head to Adelaide for a hearing on August 5, before the Committee’s report is due on September 17.