United Voice News
Maternity leave is not just a question of money for working women
LHMU member Sue Witten is employed as a mortician technician at a suburban funeral home in Brisbane and is responsible for the care and preparation of the deceased.
While her industry is small, the dilemma she faces is common to a huge number of working women.
That is, how to ensure her work environment does not compromise the health of her unborn child and how to manage financially without any maternity leave.
Biohazards and babies
Due to the chemicals and biohazards involved in her work in the mortuary, Sue needs to do work outside the mortuary as soon as she becomes pregnant. She really enjoys her job and would like to continue to develop her career, but, like many women, she cannot afford to work in an industry without paid parental leave and also be a mother.
In a developed country like Australia that solution should not be considered necessary for working women.
The LHMU would like to hear from any women, or men, who like Sue, have had to confront working with chemicals while they’re trying start a family. Send your story to chemicalfreekids@lhmu.org.au
