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Understanding the Current State of Women’s Health in the Workplace

Recent research conducted by Kearney, in partnership with the UNFPA-led Equity 2030 Alliance and the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, highlights important gaps in workplace support for women’s health. The study examined various sectors, yielding a concerning finding: just 65% of employers have taken actionable steps to promote women's health at work. While this signifies some advancement, it also reveals that many organizations are still struggling to translate awareness into effective and consistent action.

A Sectoral Overview

The Kearney [w]Health Employer Index indicates that there is substantial variation in how different industries address women’s health. The financial services industry stands out as a leader, with 77% of organizations demonstrating a mature approach. In contrast, the energy and process industries lag behind, showing only 58% maturity in implementing health initiatives. Interestingly, sectors closely associated with health, such as healthcare and life sciences, are not performing as well as expected. They often fail to focus on essential components like data accountability and the fostering of an inclusive culture, both critical for empowering women in the workforce.

Focus Areas for Improvement

Despite marked differences in sector performance, the overall findings reveal that while there is strong investment in benefits and advocacy efforts for women’s health, employers are falling short when it comes to education and communication. Alarmingly, only 51% of organizations provide adequate sex- and gender-specific training. Even fewer—54%—actively track women's health data to inform their policies and operational frameworks.

This fragmented approach suggests that many organizations treat women’s health as a series of isolated initiatives focused mainly on maternity or reproductive benefits, rather than integrating it comprehensively into workforce strategy and overall business objectives.

The Call for Action

Kearney is advocating for collaborative investments in women's health in the workplace, emphasizing the need for organizations to join movements like UNFPA's Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business. This collective effort aims to acknowledge that reproductive healthcare is a fundamental right and that businesses play an essential role in defending this right.

Mariarosa Cutillo from UNFPA highlighted a crucial statistic: women spend over 40% of their reproductive years in the workplace. This makes their health a vital factor influencing their participation and productivity. Investment in policies that support sexual and reproductive health—ranging from menstrual health to parental leave—is not merely a moral obligation but a proven strategy to reduce absenteeism and enhance overall productivity.

Prioritizing and Fostering Accountability

As the study suggests, moving forward requires a decisive transformation from mere awareness to genuine accountability in women's health initiatives. Organizations must embrace a set of priorities essential for expediting progress:
1. Embed women's health into workforce design.
2. Enhance data collection and key performance indicators (KPIs) that are disaggregated by gender.
3. Align resources and incentives to ensure consistent support across the workforce.

Paula Bellostas Muguerza, a partner at Kearney, pointedly noted that an alarming number of firms continue to view women’s health discussions as secondary. Ignoring these health challenges can negatively impact female employees' work experiences and overall productivity.

Successful companies are those that integrate women’s health considerations into their operational core, which not only cultivates a healthier workplace culture but also enhances talent retention and creates a more robust workforce.

Concluding Remarks: The Road Ahead

In conclusion, the Kearney report reiterates that addressing women’s health in the workplace cannot remain a sidelined issue. Employers must act urgently and decisively to make women’s health a priority across their organizations. By embedding this focus into their core strategies, organizations can foster healthier, more productive workplaces that not only benefit their employees but also advance their business objectives.

About Kearney

For a century, Kearney has maintained its position as a leading management consultancy, partnering with numerous Fortune Global 500 firms to address their most substantial challenges collaboratively. With a global presence, Kearney focuses on delivering impactful solutions tailored to enhance business outcomes.

About UNFPA and Other Partners

The UNFPA operates as the United Nations' sexual and reproductive health agency, dedicated to advancing rights and choices for women and young people globally. Their initiatives, including the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business, aim to mobilize corporate commitment towards enhancing women's health in the workplace.