Denise Guppy

Denise Guppy has experienced reproductive health issues at both ends of her life cycle.
Most notably, she went through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment 25 years ago while in a
management role. Even though her own boss was accepting of her situation, the
practicalities around it were a bit confusing.

“The impact of getting a medical certificate because I was having an egg pick-up or transfer
did something to how I felt about what I was going through. I actually wasn’t sick,” Denise
said. “It’s reproductive health not an illness, but it requires some support and flexibility from
the employer. That flexibility is so important to encourage women’s participation in the
workforce.”

Denise believes the HSU’s Reproductive Health Leave campaign is a “fantastic innovation”.
While she was going through her own reproductive health issues, Denise didn’t always feel
comfortable telling her bosses exactly what was happening because she “didn’t want to
make them cringe”. That shame and taboo still exists to this day, and Denise is intent on
changing that.

To any employers arguing that workers with reproductive health issues can simply use their
normal sick leave for those matters, Denise has this to say:
“You’ve got sisters, mothers, grandmothers, nieces and daughters,” she said. “It’s all around
you. Have you never filled a hot water bottle? Have you never put a woman to bed and got
her a cup of tea because she just can’t function on that day? Everyone must know someone
who needs that time (Reproductive Health Leave). These people are making decisions about
the women in their lives who menstruate every month. I just think in today’s world, it’s
absolute blindness. Fifty per cent of the population bleed every month.”