Reproductive Leave

Overview

One of Australia’s largest not-for-profit disability service providers is among the first employers to provide 12 days of ‘reproductive leave’ to its 16,000 disability service workers. Following negotiations between the Health Services Union (the HSU) in Victoria and Scope (Aust) Ltd (Scope), full-time and part-time workers are eligible. They can use the reproductive leave to attend and recover from specialist medical appointments and treatments. The HSU are currently bargaining to entrench the entitlement into a further five agreements in the disability services sector.

What is ‘reproductive leave’?

Reproductive leave provides for paid leave from work for employees experiencing reproductive issues that require “specialist medical intervention” (in addition to personal leave), including IVF, severe menstrual pain, endometriosis, menopause, gender-transitioning therapies, vasectomies and other reproductive health issues (the Leave). Employees may utilise the Leave to attend and recover from specialty appointments and treatments arising from reproductive issues. A medical certificate will be required from the treating specialist. The HSU states that the Leave will enable women to remain in the workforce for longer and continue to earn superannuation.

Future developments

Following these developments, union representatives are campaigning to secure 10-12 days of the Leave nationally as part of Australia’s National Employment Standards, with representatives from the HSU meeting with politicians including Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt earlier in September. While the Government has not yet committed to legislating the Leave, unions remain hopeful. The HSU and other organisations have commissioned a study from Curtin University’s Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre to assess the costs and benefits of the Leave. This study, expected to report later this year, could provide the necessary evidence to bolster their case for legislative action.

If you have any questions about reproductive leave and what it could mean for you or your business, please do not hesitate to contact Nick Stevens, Josh Hoggett, Evelyn Rivera or Ayla Hutchison.