HSU pushes for Australian workers to get 12 days of reproductive leave
Millions of workers could be set to get an extra 12 days off in paid reproductive leave to cover treatments such as severe period pain, menopause, gender transition, IVF, and vasectomies if a new union proposal succeeds.
On Monday, the Health Services Union (HSU) will begin campaigning for the extra leave to be enshrined into the National Employment Standards, The Australian reported.
The union is seeking meetings with senior MPs including Health Minister Mark Butler, Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt and Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher in a bid to secure support for the push.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The move follows a recent Australian Council of Trade Unions campaign for 10 days of reproductive leave.
The leave would cover a range of reproductive and fertility treatments and procedures including hormone therapy, miscarriage, screenings for breast and prostate cancer, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
The HSU has already signed an agreement with Scope, a disability services provider, to give its Victorian employees the benefit.
And the Queensland Government has already agreed to 10 days of reproductive leave for all of its public service workers, which covers fertility and IVF, as well as preventative screenings for breast and prostate cancer.
The federal government is yet to support the measure.
A survey of HSU NSW members found 30 per cent needed time off for reproductive health reasons in the past 12 months, and 50 per cent would have used reproductive health leave or flexible work if it was available.
Speaking at a parliamentary hearing in July, Health Services Union senior national assistant secretary Kate Marshall said the health sector was chronically understaffed and surveys suggested people were already taking time off due to menopause and perimenopause.
“People are taking the time off currently, but it’s just unpaid,” Marshall said.
“And the transparency is not there as to why they’re taking the time off, because there is that embarrassment factor.”
- With AAP
