Australia loses more than $21 billion in productivity every year due to absenteeism but providing workers with one day of reproductive leave a month would significantly mitigate this economic cost.
A report into the costs and benefits of implementing a universal reproductive health leave entitlement has found the policy would improve mental health and workforce retention.
It would also reduce presenteeism, the act of working while unwell or in pain, which significantly contributes to annual productivity losses from reduced efficiency, and prolongs ill-health.
The Health Services Union (HSU) is calling for a 12-day reproductive leave policy which would cost $1.7 billion annually, or $140 per worker.
El Jones has suffered from debilitating pain and excessive bleeding since her first period at 11 years old.
But it took 21 years to be formally diagnosed with endometriosis, a reproductive condition that affects one in seven women.
"It has definitely impacted my ability on the kind of work I could do," El told AAP.
"It limited me to opportunities that were mid-to-low responsibility where I didn't feel like I would let people down if I called in sick, because you do feel that you are disappointing people and not pulling your weight."
Menstrual pain affects more than 50 per cent of working women, and 74 per cent of women aged 45 to 55 reported menopause symptoms, with 17 per cent requiring extended leave.
Vasectomies and hysterectomies are also common, particularly for men and women aged 35 to 44 years.
Workers surveyed for the report said they often used sick leave or unpaid time off, with 44 per cent taking unpaid leave when they had symptoms.
This was not out of choice but out of a lack of leave options.
"By rolling out a universal entitlement of 12 days a year, we will give all workers, particularly women, dignity and agency to be a part of a workforce that doesn't currently reflect our needs," The union's national senior assistant secretary Kate Marshall said.
"This is not sick leave - work can be extremely difficult when you are dealing with pain or reproductive conditions."
In 2024, the Queensland government introduced 10 days' of paid reproductive leave for the state's public servants.
But unless it became a national employment standard, too many workers would continue to miss out.
"Reproductive needs are still highly stigmatised and workers fear discrimination for taking leave for anything relating to their reproductive organs," HSU national secretary Lloyd Williams said.
"That shouldn't be the culture we accept."
