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Why Endo At Work Research Program

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The Endo@Work research program was established to address this gap by examining workplace experiences and generating evidence-based and practical workplace guidelines to better support employees living with endometriosis.

In 2023, an Australian government report revealed that endometriosis costs Australian society $9.7 billion each year, with most of this burden driven by lost productivity and reduced workforce participation. Despite this significant impact, many people living with endometriosis reported limited workplace support.

Endometriosis Australia supported the research to develop tailored workplace guidelines and address the lack of funding and expertise in the field. Read about EndoThrive, the Workplace Accreditation Program for employers here.

The Endo@Work Project was funded by a partnership grant between Western Sydney University and Endometriosis Australia.

More about the Endo@Work Research Program

Endometriosis Australia supported the efforts of Southern Cross University and Western Sydney University’s NICM Health Research Institute to conduct a national survey of 389 participants with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis

The survey aimed to explore:

How endometriosis can affect a person’s career
How workplace changes may impact the management of endometriosis

Findings from the Endo@Work Study showed that simple workplace adjustments can:

Better support people during symptom flare-ups
Improve productivity and reduce disruption to work

The research aimed to identify and prioritise practical actions Australian employers can take to:

Support staff living with endometriosis
Reduce absenteeism
Improve work participation and productivity

These findings led to a partnership between Western Sydney University and Endometriosis Australia, the national peak body for endometriosis, to develop workplace guidelines that support individuals with endometriosis in the workplace.

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