Giving workers the equivalent of one day of leave a month to care for their reproductive needs would mitigate the economic costs of reproductive health conditions, which are estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $21 billion per year, and improve mental health and workforce retention, according to a new report.
Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre's final report into the Costs and Benefits of Implementing a Universal Reproductive Health Leave Entitlement in Australia, released today, outlines the costs and benefits of a 12-day leave policy.
The report, commissioned by the Health Services Union, the Health and Community Services Union, Aware Super and the Queensland Council of Unions, shows the cost to the economy of not implementing a leave policy, is about $21.3 billion annually in lost productivity from absenteeism and presenteeism.
"This policy will largely benefit women, who represent half of our population, and for most, that comes with menstruation which can bring pain, as well as conditions like endometriosis, IVF, miscarriage, and menopause," Health Services Union National Senior Assistant Secretary Kate Marshall said.
"By rolling out a universal entitlement of 12 days a year, we will give all workers, particularly women, dignity and agency to be a part of a workforce that doesn't currently reflect our needs.
"This is not sick leave. Work can be extremely difficult when you are dealing with pain or reproductive conditions," Kate Marshall said.
Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Senior Research Fellow and report lead Dr Silvia Salazar said that the annual net cost of 12 days of reproductive health leave would be $1.7 billion, which is the equivalent of only $140 per year per employed worker.
"The lost productivity from reproductive health conditions costs Australian businesses a massive $21 billion each year," Dr Salazar said.
"Paid reproductive health leave won't eradicate these conditions, but it will support workers affected by health challenges and bring far greater equity into the workforce, at a fraction of the costs employers are currently experiencing from lost productivity."
Key report facts:
Menstrual pain affects more than half of all working women, while endometriosis impacts 1 in 7, and 74% of women aged 45–55 report menopause symptoms, with 17% requiring extended leave.
Miscarriage affects up to 1 in 3 women, and 8% of women aged 25–45 undergo IVF annually.
Vasectomies and hysterectomies are also common, particularly in those aged between 35 and 44.
12 days of paid Reproductive Health Leave (RHL) would cost an average of $3.6 billion to implement, but would save $1.88 billion for businesses directly.
These implementation costs are small in comparison to the annual $21.3 billion cost to businesses of lost productivity from workers having to manage reproductive health conditions.
Of the more than 1,000 workers surveyed, more than nine in 10 living with reproductive health conditions said RHL leave would improve their productivity, mental health, stress levels and workplace loyalty.
But 68% of those surveyed said they hadn't disclosed their condition to their manager.
Workers surveyed said they often used sick leave or unpaid time off, with 44% taking unpaid leave when they had symptoms, not out of choice but out from a lack of available leave options.
"This report confirms that reproductive health leave is not a luxury, it's a necessity," Queensland Council of Unions General Secretary Jacqueline King said.
"Queensland has already led the way, with the Queensland Labor Government introducing ten days' paid reproductive health leave for state public servants in 2024, thanks to the tireless campaigning of workers and unions.
"But unless this becomes a National Employment Standard, too many workers will continue to miss out. That's why we're continuing our campaign for reproductive health leave for every worker in Australia.
"Reproductive needs are still highly stigmatised, and workers fear discrimination for taking leave for anything relating to their reproductive organs and that shouldn't be the culture we accept. We want hard-working people to succeed in their careers, but also support their wellbeing by being able to take care of their reproductive health needs," HSU's National Secretary Lloyd Williams said.
