Researchers from Southern Cross University's National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine and Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute have conducted a national survey of 389 women* with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis, finding that with one in three (31%) reported being passed over for promotion and one in six (15%) reported being fired, due to having to manage endometriosis symptoms.
The workplace changes associated with the federal government's COVID-19 policy response have provided a unique opportunity to examine the impact of flexible working arrangements on the management of endometriosis symptoms.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt thanked Southern Cross University, Western Sydney University, along with Endometriosis Australia who supported this study, for highlighting the barriers exposed through this research that women face in trying to balance work commitments and their endometriosis.
"That fact that an overwhelming majority of women with endometriosis have benefited from the shift to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important insight. I hope that more Australian employers will use this research to help support their employees who may be suffering from this terrible condition and to help them reach their full potential in the workplace," Minister Hunt said.
Professor Jon Wardle of the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine said: "Nearly all women with endometriosis in our study said their endometriosis had a significant impact on their work life, with nearly two-thirds of women having to take unpaid time off work to manage their endometriosis symptoms.
"Not having flexible arrangements in relation to work times or work locations to manage endometriosis symptoms appropriately creates hardships in the workplace for women with endometriosis, with more than half the women in our study identifying this as a problem."
The survey results are outlined in the paper Endometriosis and the workplace: lessons from Australia's response to COVID-19 published in the latest edition of Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ANZJOG) journal.
Endometriosis is a common disease in which the tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body. More than 11% of Australian women, girls, and those who identify as gender diverse suffer with endometriosis at some point in their life, with the disease often starting in teenagers. Common symptoms include pelvic pain that puts life on hold around or during a woman's period. It can also damage fertility.
Dr Mike Armour, lead author and Senior Research Fellow at Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute and Chair of Endometriosis Australia Research Committee, said: "Whilst COVID-induced workplace changes were challenging, for women with endometriosis they were also beneficial, with 79% of women with endometriosis reporting that COVID workplace changes had made management of their endometriosis symptoms easier. As a result of easier endometriosis management, flexible working arrangements also made women with endometriosis more productive, with more than half of women with endometriosis indicating that they were more productive as a result of COVID workplace changes."
Women identified workplace flexibility in relation to time management and working from home as the most important factor that could improve management of endometriosis in the workplace. Other important interventions included:
- introduction of 20-minute rest periods
- access to healthcare benefits
- access to healthcare services such as counselling, mindfulness or assisted exercise
- access to physical aids (ergonomic chairs, heat packs, props)
Endometriosis Australia's CEO Alexis Wolfe said: "The message is loud and clear, those with endometriosis are disadvantaged in a workplace that does not foster and support flexible working arrangements. With one in nine women, girls and those who are gender diverse affected by endometriosis, it's evident workplaces need to create safe, confidential, and supportive environments for employees to share their experiences and find a balance that works for both parties."
Endometriosis is reported to cost Australian society $9.7 billion annually, with two-thirds of these costs attributed to a loss in productivity, with the remainder, approximately $2.5 billion being direct healthcare costs. Comparatively, diabetes costs about $1 billion annually in direct healthcare costs.
Study
"Endometriosis and the workplace: lessons from Australia's response to COVID-19"
Published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ANZJOG).
Authors: Mike Armour, Donna Ciccia, Chelsea Stoikos, Jon Wardle.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13458
*Southern Cross University, Western Sydney University and Endometriosis Australia acknowledge individuals in the transgender community and people who are non-binary and living with endometriosis who may not identify as women.
About the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
The National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University is an internationally recognised centre for innovation in healthcare education, research and advocacy, with a focus on naturopathic medicine therapies and services. The National Centre creates, promotes and advocates a strong culture of incorporating holistic principles and evidence-based science into healthcare education and clinical practice.
