Fashion brand Showpo has helped establish a new workplace accreditation program called EndoThrive, launched by Endometriosis Australia.
This follows a successful pilot program between the fashion house and the lead organisation.
EndoThrive is the country’s first workplace accreditation program designed to help businesses support, retain and empower employees living with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.
According to Endometriosis Australia, the chronic health issue remains misunderstood and is often under-discussed in workplaces. This is despite it affecting 1 in 7 Australian women and those presumed female at birth (PFAB) by the ages of 44-49.
The program was informed by research conducted by Southern Cross University and Western Sydney University’s NICM Health Research Institute, which revealed the significant career impacts of the condition and how workplace changes can positively influence management of the disease.
The research found that 1 in 3 employees have been passed over for promotion, 1 in 6 have lost employment because of their symptoms, 70 per cent have taken unpaid time off work to manage symptoms, and 79 per cent have reported that work-from-home changes made symptom management easier.
Meanwhile, 9 in 10 said flexibility in relation to time management and working from home was the most important factor to improve management of endometriosis in the Workplace
Showpo CEO Jane Lu said EndoThrive has helped her business strengthen workplace culture.
“With 80 per cent of our workforce being women, supporting staff with endometriosis is especially important at Showpo,” Lu said. “EndoThrive has given us practical ways to create a more open and supportive workplace, and sparked inspiring conversations, from our warehouse team to office managers and executives. I encourage other businesses to become accredited.”
Julie Snook, Endometriosis Australia ambassador as well as journalist, presenter and MC, said the health issue has affected every part of her life, including her career.
Meanwhile, the organisation's general manager Natalie Rupil said the new accreditation program marks a major step forward in workplace equality.
“Too many people living with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain have suffered in silence at work, often at the cost of their careers and health,” Rupil said. “The reality is it also costs Australian society $9.7 billion each year, with two-thirds of this due to lost productivity.
“We’re proud to have created a program that gives organisations a clear pathway to taking sustainable action that will improve culture and day-to-day support for staff.”