According to a survey of 2,000 American women, commissioned by INTIMINA and conducted by OnePoll, 45% have left work early because of menstruation. Workplace environments (51%) ranked as one of the top five locations women believe there should be access to free sanitary items. In the survey, it was revealed that the average woman spends $13.25 a month on menstrual products. In an average woman’s reproductive timeline (ages 12-52) that’s $6,360. Not everyone can afford to pay for menstrual products. Access to free menstrual products at work will change the game for so many companies and their employees.

A period-friendly workplace environment makes the space more inclusive and it shows that employees are cared for and appreciated. It will help employees who are caught by surprise without a tampon, but it can also help those who can’t afford it. Sometimes it’s a choice between buying period supplies and paying the bills or groceries. Here are some ways workplaces can become period friendly:

1. Provide Free Organic Menstrual Supplies: A 2013 study commissioned by Free the Tampons showed that when employees are taken by surprise by their period 62% of women go to drugstores, 53% ask their coworkers if they have any supplies on hand and 34% go home to get what they need. Free menstrual products at the workplace will help keep employees productive and not panic or get frustrated when they are not prepared for their menstrual cycle. There are companies that workplaces can work with to provide free menstrual products for their employees such as Aunt Flow.

2. Supply Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: For some people, cramps are painful enough to hinder their daily activities. Over-the-counter pain relievers in the break room will seem like a treasure for those who get really bad menstrual cramps while on the job. They will also come in handy for anyone who has a headache from looking at their computer for too long.

3. Include Female Health and Well-Being Programs: The biology of the female body can be a complicated topic since periods can affect their health, well-being, productivity, self-confidence, communication skills, focus, creativity and so on. Add the fact that periods are a taboo topic and it makes for an information gap. Female and male employees could learn a lot from a workshop whether it’s learning how certain behaviors affect others or how to navigate through cycles because not everyone knows how, believe it or not.

4. Clean, Reliable Sanitary Bins: This may seem obvious, but it is not uncommon for waste disposal to build up and not be taken out. It makes for an unhygienic bathroom and sends a message to employees that the company does not care for their wellbeing. It’s important to change out the sanitary bins for however many times it is needed.

5. Have a Relaxation Space: There are people who face harsh physical and mental symptoms during their menstrual cycle and going to work can be a challenge for them. Providing a relaxation space and allowing employees to take regular breaks throughout the day during their menstrual cycle can make all the difference. They can lie down for a few minutes, drink some tea or go for a walk. Having an area like this will show just how inclusive the workplace is and will make people feel more comfortable talking about their period at work instead of it being a shameful conversation.

6. Introduce Menstrual Leave: Some employers have already implemented paid menstrual leave, so it is possible, but it will take a little more coordination than providing free menstrual products in the bathroom. While it may seem concerning to give female employees regular time off, businesses like Victorian Women’s Trust offices in Melbourne, Australia proved that the total number of days off due to menstruation in 18 months was just seven or eight days. This leave will be a saving grace for those who experience severe symptoms from their menstrual cycle. The ability to work from home would also be another alternative to help your employees and show how much the company cares for them.

7. Normalize Conversations About Periods: Research commissioned by THINX, out of 500 American men surveyed, more than half of the men (51%) believe it is inappropriate for female employees to openly mention their menstrual cycle in the workplace. Normalizing conversations about periods in the workplace will make them feel more comfortable to ask for what they need. The hope is that if a company implements the points given above, then the conversation will be not only normalized, but encouraged.

Sources:

· SWNS digital. (2019). New research reveals how much the average woman spends per month on menstrual products.

https://www.swnsdigital.com/2019/11/new-research-reveals-how-much-the-average-woman-spends-per-month-on-menstrual-products/

· Fast Company. (2016). Bleeding on The Job: A Menstruation Investigation.

https://www.fastcompany.com/3061417/bleeding-on-the-job-a-menstruation-investigation

· Alisa Eresina. (2019). 3 Ways to Create A Period-Friendly Workplace.

https://www.alisaeresina.com/3-ways-how-to-create-a-period-friendly-workplace/

· Thrive Global. (2019). How to Create a Period-Friendly Workplace.

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-create-a-period-friendly-workplace/

· New York Post. (2018). Nearly half of women have experienced ‘period shaming.’

https://nypost.com/2018/01/03/nearly-half-of-women-have-experienced-period-shaming/