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Original poster

mn should start a campaign for women to have several period days a year

164 replies

sarahighseas · 17/09/2014 12:46

I suffer from really bad periods. My work have a policy of only paying for 3 sick days per year.

I easy use more than this just with bad periods.

Anyone else think women should get more sick days to allow for periods?

OP posts:
EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 20/09/2014 14:33

Toby'sMum - it is my understanding that the 3-day rule is only enforceable "at any one time". If an employee is sick for longer than three days at any one time, he/she will need a certificate. The employer will pay the three days' sick, then employee claims SSP. I have never experienced anyone being made to take sick leave from their annual leave entitlement.

Later in the year, the employee may experience another 1-3 days of sickness. This would be in addition to the previous period of recorded sickness earlier in the year.

Again - what country are you posting from? Maybe different countries have different rules

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 20/09/2014 14:54

Statutory holiday entitlement is built up (accrued) while an employee is off work sick (no matter how long they’re off)

Any statutory holiday entitlement that isn’t used because of illness can be carried over into the next leave year. If an employee is ill just before or during their holiday, they can take it as sick leave instead

If the employer agrees, employees can choose to take paid holiday while on sick leave. For example, because they don’t qualify for sick pay. Any rules relating to sick leave will still apply

Original poster
sarahighseas · 20/09/2014 15:14

Sorry risk but there has been some support, and country's like Japan have such a scheme.

OP posts:
EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 20/09/2014 15:25

Sara - are you actually reading all the responses to you, as you don't seem to be responding to most of them??

Judging by the other thread started by you earlier today asking about sick leave entitlement, it seems to me that you may need to find yourself a new job as your issue appears to be with your particular employer, (not every employer as your have been insinuating), and not the Government.

Possibly??

Lucyccfc · 20/09/2014 15:37

Yet another reason for employers not to employ or promote women! Do you really want this?

If you worked for me, I would probably have dismissed you by now for not being capable of fulfilling your contract (too much time off).

TheFairyCaravan · 20/09/2014 15:46

Oh for crying out loud! Just when you think you've heard it all!Hmm

Who is going to take up the slack for this? Men and post menopausal women? Could you imagine a hospital ward with 4 out of 7 nurses off at the same time? Or a nursery where there was never the right amount of staff! Bloody brilliant idea this OP!

I used to suffer terrible with my periods, flooding cramps, diarrhoea, I never took a day off work, though. Since I had an endometrial ablation I'm fine.

Panzee · 20/09/2014 15:49

I don't get periods. Do I get fewer days?

Siarie · 20/09/2014 15:50

I think some women get really bad pain, honestly I do feel for them as I know what this feels like. Plus not forgetting how difficult a heavy flow can be. Until you've had a crazy heavy flow with insane pain I think it's easy to dismiss the OP.

That said I don't think women should get sick days for it. There are lots of options, like going on the pill which can (pill type dependant) totally get rid of both issues.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 20/09/2014 15:53

Sarah - if you decide to apply for your new job, please be sure to make plain to your interviewers that you have such severe issues once a month. Employers are not permitted to ask such questions, but it is not illegal or against any rule to volunteer the information.

Do let us know how you get on - it might set a precedent ? ? ?

shouldnthavesaid · 20/09/2014 16:11

It is difficult. I know that if my coil stops working I'm going to have to have an ablation thus lose my fertility, because I wouldn't employ someone who's either bed ridden or loaded up on opiates every four weeks. Thankfully the coil's working right now but goodness knows what will happen if it doesn't.. At my worst I was stuck on the loo with my head in the sink for four hours, before sleeping for pretty much 24 hours. Not good.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 20/09/2014 16:21

Siarie - no, sorry - I think this is why people on the thread are a bit cross. Many of us have (most definitely me) experienced the most awful, crazy flooding and pain. I did from early teens until late 40s (when I had the Mirena coil fitted).
I had holidays and day trip completely ruined because of it, yet I never expected preferential treatment in the workplace. My lovely Dad had to come and get me from work on several occasions when I was a young teenager, (Mum didn't drive) just so I could get changed and cleaned up at home, then go back to work. I never, ever expected special days. Why should an employer be expected to "suck this up"?

TheFairyCaravan · 20/09/2014 16:33

I totally agree Evans.

As a teenage dental nurse I had to wear a white dress. One day I bled on to it, the lovely male consultant I was working with got me my coat, to save me having to walk through a packed waiting room, so I could cover up. I went home (12 miles away), cleaned up, changed and went back to work.

After that day I always left a spare dress, pants and tights in my locker. I never expected the day off!

BadLad · 20/09/2014 17:13

Sorry risk but there has been some support, and country's like Japan have such a scheme.

Countries like Japan might. Japan doesn't. See my earlier posts, now confirmed with DW.

BoldFossil · 20/09/2014 18:52

I'm sure Japanese women hardly notice their periods they eat so healthily.

And before I'm lynched, I notice a correlation between how healthily I'm eating and easy periods are. If you're living on fish and veg and fruit and fibre then you hardly notice it. Coffee, wine, chips, meat............ argh.

Snapespotions · 20/09/2014 19:07

Most places in Japan make employees use a day of their paid vacation if they are sick. I would be astounded if period leave is common here. I'll ask DW (who is Japanese) if she has ever heard of this.

Things may be different now, but female public sector employees in Japan used to get paid menstrual leave. I remember being very surprised at the time. They also got paid sick leave - never heard of anyone having to take annual leave. Not sure about the private sector, though.

People very rarely took the time off though.

Snapespotions · 20/09/2014 19:08

I'm sure Japanese women hardly notice their periods they eat so healthily.

Sorry, but that's bollocks.

Snapespotions · 20/09/2014 19:18

Countries like Japan might. Japan doesn't. See my earlier posts, now confirmed with DW.

badlad, it still exists in Japan, have just googled it in Japanese. Seiri kyuuka.

I'm not saying I think it's a good idea, though. I don't.

Pipbin · 20/09/2014 20:33

That said isn't Japan still a rather sexist country with very few women in positions of power in business?

Gruntbaby · 20/09/2014 20:46

I've been taken (despite my protests) by ambulance to A&E for gas and air and morphine for 'bad period pain' twice. Turned out to be endometriosis. I'd always had bad period pain, getting worse over the years. Didn't realise it wasn't normal. Go and get a referral to a good gynae - it can often be treated and there are lots of different treatments to try.

JavaSparrow · 20/09/2014 20:55

Really? Yabvu.

Snapespotions · 20/09/2014 20:58

That said isn't Japan still a rather sexist country with very few women in positions of power in business?

Yes. As I said, I'm not in favour of this scheme. I think it would probably do more damage to women in the workplace than help. And Japan is certainly not a country that is like to emulate with regard to gender equality.

Gruntbaby · 20/09/2014 20:59

Before you manage to get a gynae referral to someone who deals with endo (look it up first then go to the GP with local consultants who specialise in this), you can try these measures, which may take the edge off...

  • start taking ibuprofen in the 2 days running up to the start of your period as this will help prevent the prostaglandins which contribute to the cramping
  • stop drinking caffeine - causes stomach cramps which can make period pains worse. Personally I can drink caffeine most of the time, just not during period. Weirdly during my period even decaff coffee is a problem as well as caffeinated drinks.
  • cammomile tea seems to relax cramps a little
  • make sure you are not taking a painkiller which includes caffeine (many do)
  • combine paracetamol, codeine (over the counter) and ibuprofen. You can take them all at the same time and together they work better even than the individual effects. However codeine can cause constipation which can make cramps worse.
  • hot water bottle
  • TENS machine but not on the muscle spasm setting as could make cramps worse.

If this isn't working, or even if it is, you need to see a gynae.

Haven't read whole thread but if you can work from home on those days it avoids the commute and you can do reading and stuff curled up on the sofa with a hot water bottle if you have to. Obviously not everyone is lucky enough to have this option.

CheeseToastie123 · 20/09/2014 22:36

Coming up on my third operation in 3.5 years for my period problems. This is a ridiculous suggestion.

BoldFossil · 20/09/2014 23:00

snapespotion, are you japanese?!

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