<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last week, a federal parliamentary petition launched by Kapolos officially closed after garnering a massive 28,400 signatures. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As a new nurse working on a gynaecology ward, Kapolos witnesses the intersection of chronic illness and employment anxiety every shift.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/as-a-graduate-nurse-zoe-noticed-one-thing-it-sparked-her-calls-for-menstrual-leave/ef450a3a-2c05-45bb-bbf2-b3f1a7e1e3d8" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kapolos understands that anxiety better than most. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was not until Kapolos was 18 that she finally received a diagnosis of endometriosis. This was followed by laparoscopic surgery in 2023. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The push for menstrual and reproductive leave is gaining momentum in Australia, though it remains a patchwork of policies. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In September 2024, Queensland public servants were granted 10 days of reproductive leave, covering everything from endometriosis and PCOS to IVF and vasectomies. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australian Unions have been calling for the Albanese Government to introduce ten days of paid reproductive health leave for all Australian workers. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last month, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) submitted a proposal into the National Employment Standards, calling for dedicated reproductive health leave.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Overseas, several countries, including Spain, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Zambia, and Vietnam have policies allowing employees time off due to painful periods.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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". </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's an argument against menstrual leave that Kapolos has often seen put forward on social media.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ina statement, a federal government spokesperson told </span><a href="http://nine.com.au"><span>nine.com.au</span></a><span> 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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The government recognises that reproductive health issues can impact women's health, wellbeing and economic security, the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></a><span> </span><strong><span>and</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></a></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w"><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></a></p></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>