Menopause is a workplace issue too, says Senate inquiry

Menopause should be considered a workforce issue to be managed with greater care and flexibility, according to a Senate committee inquiring into the issue.

The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs has delivered its report from the inquiry into menopause and perimenopause, which strongly recommends an overhaul of how employers approach the matter for their workers.

It recommends the Health Department commission research to establish a comprehensive evidence base about the impacts of menopause; and that the Fair Work Act be changed to ensure women can access flexible working arrangements during menopause.

It also urges the Federal Government to embark on studies to assess the economic impacts of menopause.

“From reproductive health to menopause, women’s experiences are too often ignored and their concerns easily dismissed,” the report states.

“Previous inquiries by this committee have highlighted the substandard level of care that some women may experience in their health journey.

“To date, menopause, despite being a natural transition for over 51 per cent of the population, has remained an area in women’s health where women’s voices and pain have been ignored or poorly understood.

“Menopause continues to be a topic that is rarely discussed and is stigmatised.

“Every woman’s experience of menopause is unique. For some women with debilitating symptoms, this can have a significant impact on their relationships, workforce participation and many other aspects of their lives.

“Other women will experience few negative impacts. Evidence indicates that the level of awareness in the community is very low.

“There is limited information available, and women experience significant barriers in accessing diagnosis and treatment.

“It is in this context that the committee embarked on this inquiry, seeking to explore the multitude of issues related to perimenopause and menopause in Australia and consider measures to adequately support women during this phase of their lives.”

The committee encourages Australian workplaces to develop perimenopause and menopause workplace policies in consultation with their employees and give far greater flexibility to women through menopause.

Unions and employee advocates have welcomed the report.

The Community and Public Sector Union has already embarked on discussions with Australian Public Service agencies about how women going through menopause can be better supported.

The Finance Sector Union said the committee’s report and recommendations would help break the taboo on the topic in the workplace.

FSU national secretary Julia Angrisano said the finance sector lagged behind in the national gender pay gap, and recognising the profound impact of menstruation and the transition to menopause on its workers would help the sector to close the gap.

“Menopause and menstruation are workplace issues, and this report makes clear that we need to see a step change in community attitudes and the leadership of government to see them treated like other forms of leave … like paid parental leave and domestic violence leave,” she said.

“It’s clear from our members that too many women are struggling to balance the often-hidden symptoms of menopause and menstruation with their paid work.

“Because menopause and menstruation are still largely taboo subjects, the lack of understanding and stigma means that workers suffer menopausal symptoms largely in silence. This report is a vindication of them sharing their experiences

“The very great shame is that menopause often hits workers at a point in their careers when they would be in line for senior roles but are held back by their menopausal symptoms.

“We need to treat the issue of menopause at work the way that mental health has been addressed. Stigmas and taboos need to be broken to support workers experiencing the menopausal transition.”

The report also recommends the government launch a national menopause and perimenopause awareness campaign, informed by women with lived experience.

“Many participants to the inquiry outlined that in many cases, individuals experiencing difficulty with their menopause symptoms may not require specific leave,” it said.

“Rather, they could manage these symptoms with reasonable adjustments in the workplace, including greater workplace flexibility.”

It also recommended the government consider reproductive leave for women and possible also for men.

It says further research should be undertaken on the impact and effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health leave where it has been implemented in Australia and overseas, while giving consideration to introducing paid “gender-inclusive” reproductive leave in the National Employment Standards and modern awards.