Public sector workers in Victoria will soon get access to 5 days of reproductive leave, designed for women dealing with period pain, menopause, perimenopause and IVF treatment.
The entitlement comes as part of a new, four-year pay deal for public servants which includes an annual pay rise of 3 per cent and a one-off $5600 cost of living payment for full-time workers.
The deal also ensures superannuation payments will be made on primary caregiver parental leave up to 104 weeks, up from 52 weeks. Meanwhile, shift workers on parental leave will receive shift penalties they would have received had they not been on leave.
Shift workers will also be awarded a one-off $1000 payment.
Earlier this year, the Victorian government launched an inquiry into women’s pain following a survey that showed close to half of women in the state are affected by issues relating to their periods, pregnancy, birth and postnatal care, as well as conditions like endometriosis.
One in three women said their health conditions affect their ability to work and keep a job.
At the time, Allan said it was time we stopped treating women’s health like some kind of “niche issue”.
“We deserve to have our pain believed and relieved,” she said.
Source: Victorian public sector to get paid reproductive and period leave