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The FSU has joined Australian Unions in calling on the Albanese Government to introduce paid reproductive health leave for all workers as part of a review of the National Employment Standards (NES).

While the ACTU is calling for 10 days of paid leave, the FSU is arguing for 12 days.

Currently, the NES guarantees personal and carer’s leave, but does not cover reproductive health, despite the widespread impact of reproductive health issues impacting workers, couples, and families.

The FSU has been campaigning for the introduction of paid leave for workers experiencing symptoms of menopause and menstruation since 2021. As a result, there are now eight enterprise agreements in the finance industry – covering just over 31,500 workers – that provide some form of paid leave to support workers if they need time away relating to their reproductive health.

Unfortunately, that leaves more than 500,000 workers without access to additional paid leave.

Now, unions are calling on the Federal Government to act. Under the FSU’s proposal, all workers, regardless of their gender, would gain access to 12 days of paid reproductive health leave each year. This would cover a wide range of needs, including prostate cancer screening, vasectomy recovery, IVF and fertility treatment, miscarriage, menstrual pain, menopause, and conditions such as endometriosis.

You can read our full government submission here.

Finance workers have known for a long time why this sort of leave entitlement is necessary and long overdue. An Australian-first survey conducted by the FSU in 2023-24 revealed:

• 35% of finance workers would consider retiring early rather than disclose their menopausal status
• 52% were holding themselves back from promotion opportunities due to these symptoms
• 75% said painful periods have an impact on their ability to do their job.

Find out more about our Breaking Taboos campaign and get involved here.