Menstrual and Menopausal Leave Guidelines

Background

For decades, menstruation and menopause have been barriers to women’s equality. Future Group recognises that menstrual and menopausal experiences can be debilitating, yet as a society, we have been indoctrinated to deny its existence publicly.

Menstrual and menopause leave will now be accessible for permanent employees at Future Super who experience menstruation and menopause.

These Guidelines aim to support employees in their ability to adequately self-care during menstrual periods and menopause, without having their personal leave unduly impacted. These Guidelines also act as a commitment by Future Super that as an organisation we aim to remove the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation and menopause and recognize its impact on women and all people that menstruate and experience menopause.

Principles

• These Guidelines are designed to provide opportunities for restful working circumstances and self-care for employees experiencing symptoms of menstruation and menopause.

• These Guidelines are designed to be flexible depending on the employee’s needs, providing for the following options:

  • The possibility of working from home (under our flexible remote-first model, this point seems somewhat unnecessary, but take it as a reminder of the flexibility we offer and that you can choose to work from home or from the office);

  • The opportunity to stay in the workplace under circumstances which encourage the comfort of the employee e.g. resting in a quiet area; or

  • The possibility of taking paid leave.

• In the case of paid leave, permanent employees are entitled to a maximum of up to 6 paid days per financial year in the event of inability to perform work duties because of menstruation and menopause, and their associated symptoms.

• A medical certificate is not required.

• As with personal leave, unused menstrual and menopause leave balance will not be paid out upon an employee’s departure from Future Group.

Got any questions?

Any questions about the guidelines? You can reach us at peopleandculture@futuregroup.com.au

Thank you to Victorian Women’s Trust who told us to steal their stuff. Your template was instrumental to the development of these guidelines.