PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release
Sydney, 2 September 2024 – Migraine & Headache Australia is shining a light on a hidden issue affecting millions of Australian women in the workforce: migraine. This debilitating condition is preventing 1 in 4 middle-aged women from reaching their full potential at work, with profound implications for their careers and well-being.
Workplace productivity and career progression are being undermined by migraine, a condition that is often misunderstood and under-supported in corporate Australia. Despite its prevalence, migraine remains a taboo topic in many workplaces, with less than half (48%) of sufferers feeling comfortable speaking to their manager about their condition. As a result, 41% of people living with migraine believe it has negatively impacted their career prospects, including opportunities for promotion and bonuses.
The impact of migraine on women’s careers is devastating, as highlighted by the personal stories from women in our community.
Case study 1: Migraine and Gender Bias – A Career Held Back Alex Payne-Billard, 35, said “In my early career, I didn’t talk about migraine in my workplace. Working in a male-dominated industry, I already felt held back by my gender, and didn’t want to add anything else that could lead to my workplace seeing me as less capable. I had a performance review in which they told me, they wished they had never hired me because I have migraine. It was really isolating and an awful experience.”
Case study 2: Migraine Cost Me My Dream Job Another woman, Meg Moore, 55, said “I was at the top of my game, winning awards for the school, doing brilliant things in a job that I loved. I tried to push through with medication and changing my hours, but eventually, the migraine took over. I’m now in a period of grieving the loss of my career.”
Case study 3: Misunderstood and Marginalised Chloe (last name withheld), 29, reveals that “the level of disability I experience from migraine at times can be profound. I was considered a liability in my workplace and told the reasonable adjustments I had requested from my employer were impossible. They did not see migraine as a debilitating condition, but rather a bad headache. If I left work early due to a migraine attack, I was seen as unreliable, if I stayed but was unproductive due to my symptoms, I was seen as lazy.”
These stories are just a glimpse into the challenges faced by millions of women across the country who are struggling to manage their migraines in silence. The lack of workplace support is not only a personal health crisis but a major productivity issue that employers can no longer afford to ignore.
During Migraine & Headache Awareness Week (16-20 September 2024), Migraine & Headache Australia will draw attention to this critical issue through a series of live webinars. The webinars will feature leading experts discussing the latest about new treatments, research, managing chronic migraine, mental health implications from chronic pain, side effects from medications and an overview of other disabling headache types. An on-demand panel session for “Migraine at Work” provides valuable insights for employees. For practical advice on how to create a more supportive work environment or improve workplace understanding organisations are encouraged to reach out to Migraine & Headache Australia.
Event Details:
- What: Migraine & Headache Awareness Week 2024
- When: 16-20 September 2024
- Where: Online webinars, accessible from anywhere
- Registration: Reserve your spot now at https://headacheaustralia.org.au
About Migraine & Headache Australia
Migraine & Headache Australia is the only organisation in Australia that has supported the more than 5 million Australians affected by headache and migraine for over 20 years. As a division of the Brain Foundation, Migraine & Headache Australia is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with these conditions through advocacy, education, and support.
For more information, visit www.headacheaustralia.org.au.
Media Contact:
Carl Cincinnato
Lead, Migraine & Headache Australia
Phone: 02 9437 5967
Email: info@brainfoundation.org.au
Patient case studies, spokesperson and/or doctor are available for interview upon request.
