'Employers must normalise the conversation about menstruation in the workplace'
New poll of 750 employers and employees shows 83% of employees think their workplace should have a menstruation-friendly policy
A new poll of 750 employers and employees on the topic of menstrual health in the workplace has highlighted a growing need for more workplace support.
The Breaking the Cycle research conducted by Henpicked: Menstruation Friendly and FitrWoman revealed:
76% of employees report menstrual health symptoms impact their work performance
61% of employees want menstruation to be recognised as a reason for absence
83% of employees think their workplace should have a menstruation friendly policy
64% of employers haven’t had expert training to be confident when having a conversation about menstrual health with employees
Normalising the conversation
While breaking the taboo around menstruation is key, the Breaking the Cycle survey reveals that 44% of employees have never talked about menstruation with their line manager and only 17% feel ‘very comfortable’ doing so.
Paradoxically, 48% of employers said they feel ‘very comfortable’ talking to employees about menstrual health. This is despite 64% having had no specific training to enable them to approach the topic with good knowledge, understanding and confidence. This leaves a gap between the desire to support staff and the ability to deliver.
Need for an active policy
A menstrual health policy in workplaces is top of the priority list, with 83% of employees saying this is crucial.
However, 54% of employers say that ‘understanding its necessity’ is the biggest barrier to adopting a menstruation friendly policy. A third (33%) say that a ‘lack of resources and expertise’ are preventing progress.
And while 61% of employees would like menstrual health to be recognised as a reason for absence many don’t declare the real reason as they are too embarrassed or worry they will not be taken seriously.
Deborah Garlick, founder of Henpicked: Menstruation Friendly, said
“As we have seen with menopause, it’s vital that employers engage in training and education across their organisations to break the taboo and normalise the conversation around menstrual health in the workplace.”
“A growing number of employers are now working towards being menstruation friendly with small, reasonable adjustments already making a positive impact. We hope to see many more follow their example to help employees realise their potential.”
Most common issues
Menstrual health issues affect people differently, but the most common problems faced in the workplace are 77% experience period pain or pre-menstrual tension, 55% have experienced menstrual flooding or leaking and 53% have been caught out at work without period products. Just over a third, 34%, have been stuck in a meeting or at a workstation unable to explain or excuse themselves.
Symptoms impacting work performance and career progression
Quite apart from the physical and emotional discomfort in the workplace, those affected by menstrual health symptoms cannot perform at their best in the workplace. In fact, 76% of employees said that menstrual health issues impact their ability to be their best at work and 40% believe their monthly menstruation challenges are affecting their career progress.