A recent study has revealed that a quarter of women would feel uneasy about telling their boss the truth if they were ill due to female-related health issues.
The research, which surveyed 2,000 women, found that 41% would be too embarrassed to disclose the real reason for their sickness, while 27% feared judgement from their manager.
Common issues such as vaginal infections, pelvic floor disorders and sexual health are topics women would prefer not to discuss with their boss. So instead, two-thirds have used a headache or stomach bug as an excuse.
Pallavi Bradshaw, deputy chief medical officer at AXA Health, which commissioned the research, said: “As an employee it can be difficult to talk about your personal health at work, particularly if it’s a conversation around women’s health.”
“But calling into work unwell as a result of a women’s health issue, whether that be morning sickness, period pain or menopause symptoms, should be viewed the same way it is for a migraine or sickness bug.”
The study also found that 49% believe they should have taken time off for a women’s health related issue in the past but didn’t as they were worried about falling behind or being seen as unreliable.
A fifth of employees feel a pressure to ‘push on’ in their workplace, with 16% fearing that taking sick leave could hinder their career progression,as 19% stated that their current workplace does not support women’s health issues.
Consequently, our out of 10 believe that more supportive leadership would foster an environment where women feel comfortable discussing health matters.
However, there is some positive news, as over two-thirds agreed that changes in workplace culture over the past decade have made it easier to discuss female-related health issues.
Pallavi Bradshaw, from AXA Health, commented: “Businesses are making great progress in supporting women at work, but these results show there is still more to be done.”
“It’s important for employers to have awareness of the range and severity of challenges women can face, and how it may impact them at work.”
She concluded: “Having women in the workplace is a win-win for women and businesses, so it’s essential we create workplaces that are inclusive as well as productive. “”.
