Four out of ten working women also say they have had to make career-threatening choices due to health problems or to care for their family.
As a sign that the subject remains taboo, 29% of women surveyed felt the need to lie to their manager to justify their sick leave related to a female health problem. In addition, only 42% of respondents feel that there is a culture of openness when it comes to discussing issues related to women’s health at work.
“While we have seen progress on the glass ceiling issue, there is still much to be done to provide better support for women’s health. We need more awareness and open dialogue. Discussing women’s health should be as normal as talking about a sore back,” says Marie-Chantal Côté, Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits at Sun Life.
Women are also more affected by mental health issues: they account for 40% of disability claims among women, compared to 30% among men. Stress related to reproductive health issues is among the reasons cited by respondents.
Sun Life says employers can better support women by eliminating stigma and creating an inclusive work environment where women’s health can be discussed.
Certain coverages and resources are also crucial, including contraception, mental health support, access to physiotherapists and pelvic floor specialists, fertility services and hormone treatments. Employers who already offer these tools and resources should ensure their employees are aware of the services available to them.
“We’ve started doing awareness sessions for employees about women’s health and they’ve been incredibly well-received,” says Helena Pagano, executive vice-president and chief people and culture officer at Sun Life. “Everyone, including the men, tells me how eye-opening it is to learn about the challenges women face on a daily basis.”
