Darren Wickham

Zurich Financial Services Australia (Zurich) has launched the first dedicated corporate income protection benefit designed specifically to cover female health conditions and events.

The benefit seeks to address the needs and experiences of Australian women and follows research that finds that three-quarters of working females have suffered negative career impacts due to conditions such as menopause and endometriosis. 

The research, based on a survey of close to 800 women across the country, sought to uncover experiences related to female health conditions, including: menopause; pregnancy-related conditions such as Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), early pregnancy loss or still birth; endometriosis; and menstrual disorders such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

For the approximately two-thirds of women experiencing these conditions, the research finds:

• 80 per cent had decreased productivity at work and/or home
• 60 per cent required significant time off work to manage symptoms, and
• 30 per cent had incurred financial loss.

In addition, almost 70 per cent of women reported not informing their employer of their health condition(s) due to concerns relating to discrimination or lack of support. Of those who did disclose their condition, one in three women indicated they had experienced discrimination or bias, particularly those working in healthcare, social welfare or education sectors.

Darren Wickham, Head of Group Insurance at Zurich Australia & New Zealand said: “It is widely acknowledged that women’s health conditions are under-researched and misunderstood. This gap extends to many workplaces, where women experiencing these conditions are facing productivity and career impacts, and in some cases, discrimination and isolation.”

“Women experiencing these conditions also often do not meet the definition of total or partial ‘disability’ under traditional income protection products given the typically intermittent nature of these health events. This has created a significant protection gap for women in the workplace.” 

“As a first for Australia, this new benefit is an important step in the journey to improving support and recognition of women’s health and ensuring those experiencing these health issues receive the protection they need,” Mr Wickham said.

The ‘Women’s Health Benefit’ forms part of Zurich’s refreshed Corporate Care Income Protection product and is payable to women on behalf of their employer if they experience: ectopic pregnancy; HG; pre-term birth, still-birth or neonatal mortality; endometriosis; PMDD; or menopause.

Beyond the financial benefit, eligible women will also have access to several free resources including educational content, masterclasses and digital health programs to support their return to health.

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