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In 2020, Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) began the Reproductive Health Leave campaign to ensure any person, regardless of their reproductive health challenges, can fully and meaningfully participate in work, and in turn are afforded the social and economic security they rightfully deserve.
Reproductive health issues can affect anybody, at any stage of their working life.
We know that normal leave entitlements often aren’t enough, and people end up having to take unpaid leave and possibly jeopardising their jobs.
That isn’t fair and it isn’t right. That’s why we joined the national launch to campaign for every worker to have the right to Reproductive Health Leave.
This would be a hugely positive step in fostering a healthy and supportive workplace, for all.
We’re advocating for a minimum of 12 days paid leave for reproductive health issues, covering severe menstrual pain, vasectomies, menopause, gender transitioning therapies and more. We’d also like to see flexible work arrangements and reasonable adjustments made available for all those experiencing reproductive health issues.
With 83% of women saying their work was negatively affected by the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, and over half considered retiring or taking a break from work, shows how important it is to have Reproductive Health Leave.
Not only that but similar leave policies have been linked to narrowing the gender pay gap by allowing women to stay in the workforce and reducing career interruptions.
Find out more about the impacts of Reproductive Health issues, why Reproductive Health Leave is important and how you can help – https://reproductivehealthleave.com.au/
The We Are Union Campaign
When it comes to managing our reproductive health and work, we all have a story to tell. Whether it’s managing menstruation or the impacts of menopause, accessing fertility treatments, managing chronic health issues or accessing preventative health care – we know your reproductive health impacts your working life and we want to hear your story.
Everyone’s experience is unique, but we know the impacts can be significant – using all your sick leave or losing pay, leaving a workplace that won’t support you, retiring early or working through pain because of a lack of flexibility and much more. We need workplaces that respect our experiences.
Workers are campaigning to win paid leave and better support for all workers! By completing this survey, you can help us understand your experience – and let us know if you’re keen to get involved in the campaign.
Will you take a moment to share your story? Complete the survey here
HSU National Report: The costs and benefits of implementing reproductive health leave in Australia
On April 7, 2025, HSU National launched its report of research into the impact that reproductive health issues have on workers, the broader community and our economy. There are some startling results, unfortunately though none of them entirely surprising, especially around raising awareness, combating stigma and sense of importance of addressing such issues with specific leave catered for supporting workers experiencing reproductive health issues.
There is a significant impact on our economy as well as forcing many workers into early retirement. There are a lot of impacts associated with reproductive health leave, and it’s not just about taking personal leave. Personal leave is already taken up with caring responsibilities and for those times during the year that we catch a cold or flu, or even COVID, which continues to linger and spread throughout our communities. And with some reproductive health issues, workers will exhaust their personal leave before any treatment is prescribed or even started; or in some cases, a diagnosis is determined.
The research and its analysis outline clearly why Reproductive Health Leave is important, and how it can have a strong positive impact for workers experiencing such health issues, and for those organisations that recognise and provide RHL.
Securing flexible paid leave entitlements for everybody impacted by reproductive health or chronic health problems is a top priority for the Union as we enter Public Sector Bargaining, and we need you to help us win this for everybody.
The proposed entitlement would cover a broad range of issues including but not limited to:
- Menstruation
- Perimenopause and menopause
- Chronic conditions such as poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and PMDD
- Hormone therapy
- Fertility treatments, IVF and assisted reproductive health services
- Vasectomy
- Hysterectomy
- Termination
- Preventative health care such as screenings for breast, cervical and prostate cancer
To get involved in the campaign, or if you would like to share your own story or experience, contact El Jones on ElJ@msav.org.au for a confidential chat.
Find out more about the impacts of Reproductive Health issues, why Reproductive Health Leave is important and how you can help – https://reproductivehealthleave.com.au/
Watch
We dive into the findings of HSU National’s latest research on the costs and benefits of implementing a universal reproductive leave entitlement in Australia. This report, put together by Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre in partnership with the Health Services Union (HSU), the Health and Community Services Union (HASCSU), the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) and Aware Super, sheds light on the economic impact of Reproductive Health Leave.
This is a great opportunity to learn about how Reproductive Health Leave can benefit both employees and employers, and the broader economic impact of such policies.
Remember: Reproductive Health Leave is for everyone because everyone can be affected by reproductive health issues.
Find out more about the impacts of Reproductive Health issues, why Reproductive Health Leave is important and how you can help – https://reproductivehealthleave.com.au/
