Australian women experiencing menopause and perimenopause are leaving the workforce early due to a lack of support, unions have told a Senate inquiry. The unions have called for 10 days of paid leave to help retain women in the workforce.

Next steps include a Senate inquiry hearing in South Australia on August 5, with the committee’s report due on September 17.

Australian unions have highlighted that women with menopause and perimenopause are exiting the workforce prematurely due to insufficient support. During a Senate inquiry, several unions advocated for 10 days of paid reproductive health and well-being leave for women nationwide.

On Tuesday, Kate Marshall from the Health Services Union (HSU) emphasized that this leave would help “destigmatise” menopause and better support women in remaining employed. The HSU also recommended introducing a menopause information tool for employer and HR education.

Claire King from the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) noted the significant impact of menopause, perimenopause, and reproductive health on workers. She pointed out that these issues are still poorly understood and often considered taboo in the workplace.

Ms. King referenced an estimate from the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, stating that menopause could lead to a collective loss of $15.2 billion in income and superannuation for Australian women each year of early retirement, over an average of 7.4 years of missed earning opportunities. This translates to an economic loss of $112.2 billion due to a natural biological process affecting all women to some extent.

Earlier this year, the Queensland government announced that public service workers would be entitled to 10 days of paid reproductive leave for menopause, endometriosis, IVF, and other reproductive health issues.