You have popped the painkillers, have a hot water bottle tucked under your jumper, but you still feel lousy. Do you take the day off? For women lucky enough to work in Bristol company Coexist, the management has formalised the answer: hell, yes. The company, which employs 24 women in its 31-strong workforce, has said that women will be allowed to take time off when they are in pain. Instead of taking the days off as sick leave, the company’s period policy asks female employees to make up the time later.
The organisation’s director, Bex Baxter, says, the policy “allows women to take time for their body’s natural cycle.” If this sounds slightly new age-y, consultant gynaecologist Gedis Grudzinskas thinks the company is being extremely sensible. The infertility expert and former emeritus professor has previously suggested that women who feel “lousy” during their periods should be allowed to stay at home. Now he says: “I am pleased the matter is being discussed and there has been some action. All workplaces should be accommodating when we are not feeling our best. There are gynaecological conditions – such as endometriosis – that are triggered by menstruation. That’s a disease which is a sick leave matter, but then there is menstruation itself, which leaves many women unsettled by symptoms. I can’t imagine how grateful I would be to have a day off when I was feeling off.”
Dr Grudzinskas says male co-workers should not feel aggrieved if their female colleagues are granted some extra days off. “This is part of being considerate and flexible,” he says.
But is it really necessary for all women? According to the NHS Choices website, while 90% of women will experience some pain and discomfort during their period, only 14% of women are frequently unable to go to work – although other research suggests that period pain could be as bad as having a heart attack. In East Asia, menstrual leave is already established, with women in Indonesia, China, Korea and Japan all being entitled to days off for cramps.
Fiona Leishman from women’s health charity Wellbeing of Women, says this is something that needs greater awareness. “Many women are lucky and skate through their period, but for others – and I am one – it can be hideous. The accompanying nausea or dizziness can make it very challenging to be normal in the workplace or in a meeting.
“We need to normalise periods, and if companies wish to cut the staff who suffer badly a little bit of slack, I would welcome their vision and humane approach.”
One problem, says Leishman, is that so many women “put up and shut up”, it can be hard to discover how many women are suffering. Maybe it’s time to break the tampon taboo.
