A recent study by Irish Life Health reveals that one in three women in Ireland worry that speaking about personal health issues at work could hurt their career. The findings come ahead of WellFest, a wellness event set for May 10–11, and highlight growing concerns over how gender-specific health is treated in professional settings.
The research was conducted with the help of Ipsos Behaviour and Attitudes, surveying over 1,100 workers aged 16 and up.
Common Health Issues Impact Work Performance
The study showed that many women suffer from health conditions such as menstrual problems, fertility challenges, perimenopause, and menopause. These issues often affect their ability to perform at work, yet many stay silent out of fear.
“Even though women make up half of the adult population, many still feel uncomfortable sharing their health concerns on the job,” said Ann Marie Nestor, managing director at Irish Life Health. “Supporting women’s health is not optional—it’s essential.”
Many Women Use Sick Days or Unpaid Leave to Cope
Nearly 29% of women say they use sick leave to manage these health issues, while about 20% use their vacation days instead. Younger women between the ages of 16 and 34 are more affected: 43% have used sick leave, and 31% have taken unpaid time off for health-related reasons.
This shows that many women feel the need to hide or quietly manage their health problems instead of seeking support from their employers.
Lack of Support at Work Drives Women to Consider Leaving
Only one in three employers currently has policies that address women’s health in the workplace. Just 41% of the women surveyed believe their employer gives them enough support. In fact, 44% of women said they would consider leaving their job for a company that offers better support for women’s health.
The numbers suggest that businesses may lose talented workers if they don’t take female health concerns more seriously.
Doctors Call for Ending the Stigma
Dr. Máire Finn, a GP who specializes in women’s health, believes more open conversations are needed. She will be speaking at WellFest in the “WellFem” tent to help break the silence surrounding women’s health.
“These results show how common and serious these issues are,” Dr. Finn said. “We need to break down the taboos and make sure women feel safe talking about their health.”
Conclusion
The research from Irish Life Health shows that too many women still suffer in silence at work due to fear of judgment or career damage. With growing awareness and events like WellFest, experts hope the conversation will change—and that companies will step up to provide better support.
