Healthcare Equity in the Workplace

A recent poll by Frog Recruitment highlighted the demand for menopause and menstrual policies in New Zealand, shining the spotlight on one of the ways employers could promote equity and support the genuine needs of a vital group of their workforce. While 56 per cent of poll participants thought New Zealand businesses should offer paid menstrual leave, only five per cent of employers actually do.  

With more than 60 per cent of poll respondents admitting that menstrual pain or perimenopause symptoms significantly affected their experience at work, Frog Recruitment Managing Director Shannon Barlow believes employers should be putting it at the top of their policy priority list. 

“The New Zealand workforce is made up of 830 000 women aged between 40 and 54 years and most will be experiencing varying stages of menopausal transition that can last between two and twelve years. The poll shows women are suffering significant menstrual or perimenopause symptoms at work, and they’re doing it in silence as until recently, the issues have been taboo. 

“Whether you’re working at a small start-up or are part of a large multinational, being an equitable workplace is essential in our competitive and global labour market,” she says. “More Kiwi employers must catch up with the rest of the Western world and start offering menopause policies and menstrual leave – this can look like paid leave days, options to work from home and a policy that is designed to normalise these issues and ensure people do not need to use their sick leave for their essential body functions.” 

Barlow says Kiwi businesses should be doing more to meet our changing world.  

“Employees today have much more on their wish list. Staying competitive means perpetually reviewing benefits and policies to ensure they fit our rapidly evolving workforce. Equity can be embedded in company policy in many forms and ensures fairness in culture and nationality, education, race, sexuality and gender and age. 

“The best way to attract and retain talent is to ensure people feel recognised and valued. Leading with equitable health benefits supports your employees through the different stages of their working life, but will also improve awareness of these issues, which can have a positive impact on your whole workforce in a broader social sense.” 

To read more on topics related to this article, check out the latest issue of our magazine. The theme for the Winter 2023 issue of Human Resources is Diversity: let’s make more progress. Access it online: https://issuu.com/hrnz.magazine/docs/2023_hrnz_winter_magazine_issuu