Public service workers in Victoria could soon receive paid period, IVF and menopause leave
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Public service workers in Victoria, Australia, could soon receive paid menstrual, menopause, and IVF treatment leave under a new collective agreement signed by the state Treasurer on 9 April. This move is a significant step towards supporting the reproductive health needs of employees in the public and community sectors.
The new leave entitlement would provide staff with an additional five days of leave, which would be added to their existing sick leave entitlement of 10 days. This means that employees facing challenges related to menstruation, menopause, or fertility treatments would have access to paid time off to manage their health needs without worrying about losing income.
While this development is a positive step forward, it is important to note that the current entitlement still falls short of addressing the full extent of absenteeism faced by individuals with conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These conditions can often result in significant time off work due to debilitating symptoms, which may not be fully covered by the proposed leave entitlement.
For example, a 2019 study in Australia revealed that individuals with endometriosis had to take an average of four days per month of unpaid leave due to their symptoms. Similarly, a 2021 study found that 83% of women experiencing menopause reported being affected at work, with only 70% feeling comfortable discussing their symptoms with their managers.
Moreover, individuals undergoing fertility treatments, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, are often required to take around eight days off work per treatment cycle for various appointments and procedures. This highlights the need for comprehensive support for employees facing reproductive health challenges beyond just a few additional days of leave.
The eligibility for menstrual leave would extend to employees of government bodies such as the Department of Education and the state’s parks authority. However, the agreement is still pending approval from the Victoria Public Service Union before it can be implemented across the public sector.
This move in Victoria follows similar initiatives in other countries, such as Spain, where women and individuals with periods were granted three days of menstrual leave per month, with the option to extend it to five days for those experiencing severe symptoms. Spain became the first country in Europe to introduce paid menstrual leave, alongside other reproductive rights laws aimed at supporting diverse gender identities.
Several other countries, including Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Zambia, have already implemented paid leave policies for reproductive health needs. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the importance of supporting employees’ holistic well-being and addressing specific health challenges they may face.
Overall, the introduction of paid menstrual, menopause, and IVF treatment leave in Victoria represents a positive step towards promoting inclusivity and supporting the diverse needs of public service workers. However, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure that employees facing reproductive health challenges receive adequate support and accommodations in the workplace.
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