AXA Health research finds women struggle to discuss health issues and feel unsupported in the workplace

AXA Health, as part of its focus on women’s health, has carried out research into women’s health in the workplace and discovered that a quarter of women would feel uncomfortable telling their boss the real reason they're off sick if they had female-related health issues.

The research of 2,000 women found 41 per cent of these would be embarrassed and 27 per cent would feel judged by their manager if they admitted the truth.

In addition, over half of those surveyed (58 per cent) admitted they haven’t given the real reason for being off work in the past – giving a headache (20 per cent) or stomach bug (29 per cent) as the reason instead.

Some conditions and issues, such as vaginal infections, pelvic floor disorders and sexual health are among the most common issues women would not be willing to reveal. However, 32 per cent would be willing to openly discuss breast cancer, and 30 per cent would feel confident discussing pregnancy-related issues.

Pallavi Bradshaw, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, AXA Health 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 research also found that women are struggling on even when unwell, with 49 per cent having felt as though they should have taken time off for an issue related to women’s health but didn’t. The reasons given for this was not wanting to be seen as unreliable (50 per cent) and 27 per cent were worried they’d fall behind with their work. For a fifth (20 per cent), there is a culture to ‘push on’ in their workplace, and 16 per cent feared it may even affect their career progression.

A fifth (19 per cent) report their current place of work is not supportive of health-related female problems, according to the OnePoll.com figures. Despite this, 65 per cent agreed that in the last 10 years changes to workplace culture have made it easier to open up about female-related health issues.

Pallavi Bradshaw added: “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. 

“Ensuring businesses are creating supportive environments where women feel they can be honest and seek the help they need is vital. 

“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.”

CASE STUDY

A woman claims she lost her job after having to take time off due to debilitating endometriosis - so severe it leaves her bedbound. 

Amy Chetwynd, 28, a mental health support worker from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, who also suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), was diagnosed with stage three endometriosis in November 2022, at the age of 26. 

The chronic disease occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.

Amy says the disease contributed to her losing jobs in the past - as she often struggles with debilitating pain and eight week-long periods, leaving her unable to get out of bed. 

Amy said: "Endometriosis feels like someone has their hands around my abdomen and is pulling every organ out of my body.

"My periods last for eight weeks at a time - with heavy bleeding. 

"To this day, I still find it hard to speak to managers and tell them I'm having a flare-up - because it's embarrassing and they may not understand.

"It can be very, very painful, to the point where all I can do is curl up in bed."

In November 2022, a routine laparoscopy revealed Amy was suffering from stage three endometriosis - meaning she had a significant amount of tissue in her abdomen. 

She says it was around this time that she was also let go from a previous job due to issues with attendance. 

Amy has since managed to get a new job, but she still believes her ideal situation would be a hybrid, or full-time work-from-home job. 

She said: "Having a female manager, I feel she's a lot more understanding. But I still struggle with finances because of the time I've got to take off.”

"I want to have a good life for myself and be able to work all my hours.”

"I feel a work-from-home job would be better suited to me."