URGENT UPDATE: Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women and the Public Service, has just announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming the workplace experience for employees undergoing perimenopause. During a candid discussion on the Rage Against the Vagine podcast with comedian Em Rusciano, Gallagher emphasized the urgent need for the Australian Public Service (APS) to become a model employer in supporting workers facing this challenging life stage.
Gallagher stated, “As an employer, you have to be accommodating… whether that means working from home arrangements or coming in later or leaving earlier.” She warned that without such flexibility, businesses risk losing valuable talent in today’s competitive job market. “Unless you’re going to be accommodating and supporting your employees, they will not engage,” she added.
Rusciano, whose six-part podcast tackles the systemic barriers faced by women experiencing perimenopause and menopause, called for changes to employment laws to provide women with access to dedicated leave for these issues. Gallagher reaffirmed her commitment to flexible working arrangements, a key focus during the recent federal election, highlighting the introduction of paid family violence leave as a significant win for Labor.
“If we’re not making workplaces work for women, you won’t have them,” Gallagher asserted. “They will not come to work or want to work the hours that you want them to work.”
When pressed on whether the government is truly concerned about the struggles of women dealing with debilitating perimenopause symptoms, Gallagher expressed a strong commitment: “Yes, we give a shit, and as part of giving a shit, we’re also trying to change the system for the better.” She acknowledged the ongoing work required to create supportive environments for women in the workplace.
Gallagher shared her personal experience, describing it as “confusing, chaotic and difficult.” She urged women to understand that while there may not be a single solution to the challenges of perimenopause, support systems are improving. “There is a lot of help… to make sure our care and support for women going through perimenopause and menopause is improving all the time,” she remarked.
Highlighting the financial barriers women face in accessing treatment, Gallagher noted that recent changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (PBS) have made it easier for women to afford necessary care. “People grab me and go, ‘this is like life changing for me,'” she revealed, indicating the positive impact of these reforms.
Despite acknowledging that the parliamentary workplace has not always been the most supportive environment, Gallagher assured listeners that efforts are being made to foster a more respectful atmosphere. “We have been trying to make it a more respectful workplace, and to stand up against sort of hate and misogyny,” she emphasized.
As this conversation unfolds, the call for systemic change in how workplaces accommodate women experiencing perimenopause is becoming increasingly urgent. With Gallagher at the helm, there is a renewed hope that the APS will lead by example in creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Stay tuned for further developments on this critical issue as it continues to evolve, and consider sharing this important message to raise awareness and advocate for change.
