Western Sydney University researchers are shining an important light on menstrual issues and conditions such as endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain in the workplace.
Dr Michelle O'Shea from the School of Business and PhD candidate, Danielle (Dani) Howe from the NICM Health Research Institute are co-leading the project, in partnership with Endometriosis Australia. They are working together with other University experts, including Associate Professor Mike Armour also from NICM and Dr Sarah Duffy from the School of Business, to help raise awareness and change the way these conditions are viewed and managed at work.
The societal stigma and taboo associated with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain often reinforces the idea that these conditions should be managed by the individual and in silence.
Despite legislative and policy commitments to people with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, they can often remain unwilling to disclose their condition.
Dr. Michelle O'Shea explains that for staff dealing with menstrual disorders like chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis, even small adjustments to the work environment can lead to better symptom management and a noticeable boost in productivity.
"Supportive line managers and supervisors together with access to individualised flexibility are critical to helping reduce absences, increase productivity and greatly enhancing staff wellbeing," said Dr O'Shea.
"There is a fear that these conditions can negatively impact careers. This research is hoping to challenge this silence, and share the lived experiences of people managing these conditions to effect ongoing policy development," said Dr O'Shea.
Part of this important work is being supported by an internal University grant from the Vice-Chancellor's Equity Fund.
Building on existing work by Dani Howe as part of her PhD research, it includes reviewing existing external guidelines and providing feedback to the University on possible ways to adapt current University practices and use associated resources to raise awareness of these conditions within the University community.
Dani said she is pleased her PhD research is helping improve individuals' quality of life. She said her work has illuminated the profound impact that endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain can have.
"It's not only the pain management, but also the psychological load of managing work absences and in the case of academic staff, ensuring that they are meeting not only their workplace expectations but also those of their managers and their students," said Dani.
The research team is looking forward to further work on this important workplace issue and presenting their research outcomes to the University in the coming months.
Western Sydney University was recently recognised as number one in the world for Gender Equality as part of the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for 2024, and has also been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency for 22 years.
