Building a culture of care – supporting women’s health 

While many businesses have embraced inclusivity through flexible work arrangements, neurodiversity initiatives, and gender equality efforts, support for women’s health remains inadequate. Women comprise nearly half of the Australian workforce, yet health challenges like menopause, endometriosis, and pregnancy are often overlooked. HR leaders hold the keys to drive change by creating a workplace culture that recognises and responds to the unique health challenges women face throughout their lives.

Why women’s health matters 

Women face complex health challenges that impact not only their physical and mental wellbeing but also their productivity and career progression. A 2024 report from the World Health Organisation and McKinsey highlighted that although women live longer, they spend 25% more of their lives in poor health. Closing this gap could boost the global economy by over $1 trillion annually by 2040. By making genuine efforts to support women’s health needs, businesses can foster a culture of respect, inclusivity, and improved employee wellbeing – benefiting both individuals and the broader business. 

Leveraging Insurance to address women’s health needs 

Many businesses already offer life and income insurance benefits to their employees through their superannuation fund or other external providers. If they don’t, they’re already missing out on a key benefit for their whole workforce.  

Many life insurers are introducing innovative wellness programs tailored to help women’s health, offering financial support, personalised care, and preventive solutions. These initiatives provide a strong foundation for company-wide wellbeing strategies that meet the unique needs of their female employees. 

Menopause: a major workplace challenge 

Menopause presents significant challenges for many women in the workforce, bringing symptoms like fatigue, memory issues, and reduced concentration. This can significantly affect productivity and prompt some women to reduce their hours or leave the workforce entirely. Research shows 75% of women report that menopause has negatively impacted their careers, and 79% say it has reduced their productivity. 

Insurers like AIA Australia offer a menopause program with targeted health coaching for women aged 40-55 on income protection insurance claims. Developed in collaboration with the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS), the program focuses on symptom management and reducing long-term risks such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. This is just one example of how employers can help female employees during this life stage, ensuring they remain engaged and productive. 

Endometriosis and productivity loss 

Endometriosis affects around 10% of women under 50, causing pain, fatigue and other debilitating symptoms that can disrupt work and daily life. Many women find themselves scaling back hours or declining advancement opportunities to cope. 

Zurich Australia’s Women’s Health Benefit, part of their Corporate Care Income Protection, provides financial support tailored to women managing endometriosis and other health conditions. Backed by research from Metluma, the program allows women to prioritise their health while reducing financial stress. This support model helps businesses retain talented employees by fostering a more inclusive workplace culture. 

Mental Health support for women 

Women managing physical health conditions like menopause and endometriosis are often at higher risk for anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. With some traditional workplace EAPs who may not address the mental health needs specific to women’s health challenges. 

MetLife’s 360 Health Platform offers comprehensive solution by integrating mental and physical health resources with virtual consultations, access to dietitians and exercise physiologists, and a unique “Ask a Clinician” feature. These resources empower women to proactively manage their mental and physical health, complementing existing support structures and enhancing overall employee wellbeing. 

Preventive health and cancer screenings 

Preventive care is critical for conditions like cardiovascular disease and cancers such as breast and cervical cancer. However, many women lack access to regular screenings due to time constraints, insufficient resources or lack of encouragement. 

TAL’s Health for Life programs is designed to fill this gap with tools like Health Scout (for tracking health metrics), HeartChecker, and SpotChecker (for resources on cardiovascular and skin health), which encourage women to monitor key health metrics and undergo preventive screenings. These initiatives help women proactively manage their health, reducing the likelihood of severe conditions and the associated impact on their work and personal lives. 

Supporting pregnancy and postpartum health 

Balancing work and motherhood can be challenging without adequate workplace support. In some cases, it can lead to reduced or delayed career advancement or exiting of the workforce. 

Zurich’s Women’s Health Benefit also includes support for uncomplicated pregnancies, providing financial security for women managing pregnancy-related health concerns. By addressing these needs directly, it could foster a workplace culture that values inclusivity and supports women through all life stages. 

Building a holistic women’s health program 

Integrating women’s health benefits into employee benefits packages is an effective strategy to address the challenges faced by female employees of all ages. But there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Businesses can leverage group life and income protection insurance offerings that include active female health programs, ensuring immediate and long-term support for female employees. 

Steadfast Life can help businesses like yours implement tailored health benefits that align with your broader wellness goals. By accessing insurance programs designed to support women, HR leaders can create a comprehensive employee benefits package that addresses the unique needs of their female workforce. 

Lead the way in women’s health innovation 

Women’s health is an area of growing importance, and businesses that invest in the health of their female employees are leading the way, with a culture where health and professional success go hand-in-hand. 

By partnering with Steadfast Life, we can explore how your business can offer meaningful support through innovative insurance solutions. Together, we can create workplaces that empower employees and drive organisational success.