Skip to main content It can be nerve-racking trying to decide whether you should tell people at work about your endo. You might be worried about being judged or feel your career trajectory could be affected. This article talks about why it may be necessary to tell your employer, what your rights are, and how to go about it.
In most cases, it’s up to you whether you tell your employer about your endo (or not) and how much you tell them. However, if your endo is affecting your ability to meet the requirements of your job or could affect staff safety, then you do need to tell your employer.
Workplace safety
Australia has workplace safety laws to protect people from harm at work. Under these laws, you have a duty to take reasonable care of your health and safety and not adversely affect other people’s health and safety. For example, if you experience fatigue (as an endo symptom or resulting from medications) that could affect your ability to operate equipment safely, then your employer needs to know.
Your rights and entitlements
Fortunately, Australia has laws to protect employees from unfair treatment. For example, you are protected by FairWork from losing your job because you have a chronic illness. FairWork also provides free information about workplace rights such as the right to request flexible working arrangements and the right to take personal leave. The Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Information Service can provide information and referrals if you feel you have been discriminated against or harassed at work.
If you talk to your employer, your privacy must be protected. Australia has privacy laws that protect personal information and your employer cannot disclose, record or store your personal information without your consent, except in limited circumstances permitted by Australian law.
How to go about it
When talking to your employer, it’s worth remembering that endo is a chronic illness and you don’t need to be ashamed about it. Your conversation will likely go more smoothly if you are well informed with facts about endo and are clear about what you need, such as flexible working arrangements.
A recent study found that the shift in work practices resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has made endometriosis symptoms easier to manage. Workers were more productive due to flexibility in work hours and the increased ability to self-manage their time, and needed to take less time off to manage their endo. If you have already been working from home due to the pandemic, you may be able to make a case to keep working from home, at least some of the time.
Additional resources
- Supporting workers with endometriosis in the workplace
- Talking Endometriosis in the Workplace (Part One)
- Talking Endometriosis in the Workplace (Part Two)