For Zoe Kapolos, the reality of endometriosis isn't just a personal battle, it's a recurring scene played out on the hospital ward where she works. 

The 21-year-old graduate nurse from Melbourne has spent years navigating the debilitating pain of the condition, but it was the sight of her own patients prioritising paperwork over their recovery that finally pushed her to act.

Last week, a federal parliamentary petition launched by Kapolos officially closed after garnering a massive 28,400 signatures. 

The petition calls for the Australian Government to introduce dedicated leave for employees suffering from endometriosis and adenomyosis, sparking a national conversation about whether our workplace laws are meeting the needs of women with these health conditions.

Around 1 in 7 women are affected by endometriosis, a chronic condition that causes tissue to grow outside of the uterus. It can lead to severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. 

As a new nurse working on a gynaecology ward, Kapolos witnesses the intersection of chronic illness and employment anxiety every shift.

"A part of the reason why I started the petition was that I've seen so many patients who are almost fixated on making sure they have medical certificates," Kapolos said.

That fixation, borne out of a pressure to meet the unrelenting demands of their jobs, often came at a cost to their health, she said. 

She noted that patients often seemed more worried about providing documentation for their employers than they are about the clinical information they need to manage their recovery at home.

Kapolos understands that anxiety better than most. 

Her own journey began at age 13, followed by seven frustrating years of being told by doctors that "something was wrong" but they simply couldn't figure out what. 

It was not until Kapolos was 18 that she finally received a diagnosis of endometriosis. This was followed by laparoscopic surgery in 2023. 

While the surgery provided significant relief, she still faces days where she is unwell – a reality that led her to found The Ovary Office, an organisation dedicated to improving menstrual health literacy and education.

The push for menstrual and reproductive leave is gaining momentum in Australia, though it remains a patchwork of policies. 

In September 2024, Queensland public servants were granted 10 days of reproductive leave, covering everything from endometriosis and PCOS to IVF and vasectomies. 

Victoria and New South Wales also offer similar, albeit more modest, provisions for their public sectors, with 5 days of paid reproductive health leave and 5 days of paid fertility treatment leave, respectively.

Private companies have also led the way, with brands like Modibodi offering 10 days of paid leave for menstruation or menopause, while others such as Future Super, HESTA, and Mission Australia have integrated various forms of reproductive health leave into their contracts. Nine Entertainment Co, the publisher of this website, does not currently offer menstrual or reproductive leave.

Australian Unions have been calling for the Albanese Government to introduce ten days of paid reproductive health leave for all Australian workers. 

Last month, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) submitted a proposal into the National Employment Standards, calling for dedicated reproductive health leave.

This proposal would allow workers, regardless of gender, to access to up to ten days of paid leave to manage any reproductive health issue including, endometriosis pain, IVF and fertility treatment, miscarriage, vasectomy recovery, and prostate cancer screening.

Overseas, several countries, including Spain, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Zambia, and Vietnam have policies allowing employees time off due to painful periods.

However, the idea has its critics. Last month, India's top court rejected a petition seeking menstrual leave, with the judges saying such a law would mean "no-one will hire women". 

It's an argument against menstrual leave that Kapolos has often seen put forward on social media.

However, she believes Australia is ready for legislative change, noting that the nation is already a world leader in other reproductive health areas, such as cervical screening.

While Kapolos' petition is directed towards people with endometriosis and adenomyosis, she said she also supports the ACTU's broader propsoal, acknowledging applying the policy to all workers could help avoid discrimination from employers.

Ina statement, a federal government spokesperson told nine.com.au the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations was monitoring the reproductive leave in enterprise bargaining and its impacts on the workforce, emerging research and evidence and international examples.

"The government recognises that reproductive health issues can impact women's health, wellbeing and economic security, the spokesperson said.

"Our Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms, strengthened the right to request flexible working arrangements which can help workers navigate reproductive health issues in the workplace."

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