No matter what, having your period is pretty annoying and at least a little uncomfortable. Dealing with cramps, worrying about leaks…It’s just not that fun. But for many women, period pain can be an excruciating and even debilitating experience that repeats itself month after month. In an effort to recognize the needs of busy female professionals whose work functions may be impacted by menstrual pain, some companies are experimenting with a “period policy” to give employees excused leave.
Quartz reports that a company in Bristol, Co-Exist, will introduce this policy for its majority female staff in the near future. The company’s director, Bex Baxter, told the Bristol Post that she had seen her employees “bent over double” in pain but continuing to do their work, a situation that didn’t seem fair to her.
“They feel they cannot go home because they do not class themselves as unwell,” Baxter told the Post.
More details on the policy will be discussed on March 15 during a seminar. As it stands, the policy would allow women more flexibility in their schedules during their periods, and would grant make-up days later on in the year.
The only other countries that have introduced menstrual leave are Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China, though these have produced mixed results. Co-Exist would be the first European country to implement such a policy.
One of the biggest arguments against the action is that women would use the flexibility as an excuse for extra time off work. But couldn’t you say that about any policy that lets you take time off for illness? Maybe it’s time we stop seeing periods as a gross taboo that women only bring up when they want to get out of something, and start realizing that they’re a part of women’s health we need to address head-on.
Baxter has faith in her employees, and says she wants to build trust. Everyone “respects the company and gives more than 100 per cent to their work, so I don’t think we will have an issue with people deceiving us,” she said.