While menstruation has long been a taboo in many areas, companies are increasingly addressing this public health issue in the goal of improving conditions for female employees. But, as a recent survey reveals, most companies fall short when it comes to grasping the extent to which menstruation can be debilitating for some women.
The overwhelming majority of women professionals polled for a survey by the United Kingdom’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) say they experience menstruation-related symptoms. The most common of these range from abdominal cramps and irritability to fatigue and low mood.
Some 15% of respondents suffer from a gynecological condition such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
And these menstrual conditions significantly affect their ability to work. As a matter of fact, 82% of women who suffer from menstrual conditions say they have had bad experiences at the office for this reason.
However, they are not the only ones to find it difficult to carry out their professional duties due to such symptoms: more than half of respondents (53%) have had to take time off work because of their menstrual symptoms, and 4% are forced to take time off every month.
While these figures show the extent to which women are penalised by menstrual symptoms in their working lives, the study also highlights the fact that companies are struggling to get to grips with the subject.
At this point they have not succeeded at creating an environment conducive to dialogue, where employees feel sufficiently confident and supported to be able to discuss the difficulties associated with their periods.
For example, only 20% of respondents feel comfortable telling their manager when they have to be absent for this reason. They are afraid that their health concerns will not be taken seriously by their superiors, while others fear this could hold back their career advancement.
A subject to be taken seriously
While it’s in the best interest of companies to support their employees so they can work to the best of their ability during their periods, most fall short. Only 12% of respondents said their employers helped them by providing free sanitary protection or offering menstrual leave.
For the CIPD, there is an urgent need for managers and HR staff to be aware of the difficulties women may encounter during their menstrual cycle and to offer them the necessary support – without encroaching on their private life.
Doing so could “increase employee attendance but also legitimise absence where this is needed. It may increase employee performance, engagement, retention, and employer branding”, the organisation explained.
Supporting women during their periods can be a powerful tool for retention: 5% of employees surveyed are thinking of leaving their current job owing to a lack of support for their menstrual symptoms. Meanwhile, 3% have already taken the plunge.