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Introduce 6 Days of Paid Menstrual Leave in Australia
- Devini Raj Kumar
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Author: Devini Raj Kumar | Publish date: 07/04/2024
Problem Identification:
People who menstruate often lack sufficient paid leave to cover instances of severe pain, causing them to have no paid leave left when they are otherwise ill.
In 2022, the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) Queensland State Secretary said, ‘10 days personal leave per year and the current flexibility arrangements under the Fair Work Act are insufficient in recognising the health concerns women face.’
Individuals experiencing ‘often debilitating’ menstrual pain may exhaust their paid leave, leaving them to face a stark dilemma; either continue working while enduring significant pain, thereby jeopardising job performance, or opt for unpaid leave, resulting in an inequitable financial burden.
Context:
The Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) outlines employment terms and conditions and defines the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers. In accordance with the Act, employees can take up to 10 days of paid sick leave for a personal illness or injury. Some enterprise agreements allow for employees to receive more than 10 days of paid sick leave. However, there is currently no federally mandated requirement for menstrual leave.
