to think a 'day off for periods' is a damaging gimmick

[peaceoftheaction]

This company in the news giving women period days off. I mean ffs women have struggled for so long to get taken seriously in the workplace. I think the publicity about this does more harm than good.

[CaughtUpNearTimbuktu]

Oh God I forgot about the impact it has on my ibs. When I'm having a bad month my ibs is horrific.

I dont think women who get 'normal' periods will ever understand what it's like to have periods from hell. To have to spend hours sat on the toilet because there is no other way to contain the bleeding. To have severe diarrhoea because your ibs has given up. To feel wiped out and dizzy. To have to have protective sheeting on your bed. To be resigned to never wearing light coloured dresses trousers or skirts (I was due on on my wedding day, I was petrified!)

I can only liken my bad periods to the immediate aftermath post childbirth bleeding.

[CaughtUpNearTimbuktu]

Oh and I forgot about the hemiplegic migraine I sometimes get at the start of a period. That's fun when it's a bad month. Clearing myself up when I'm half paralysed...

[Lanark2]

I don't think it's bad to remind the workforce about this. I also think general 'inexplicably out of sorts' days should be more openly discussed too, as its both easy to forget to monitor your own state and to forget that your experiences are filtered through that state, as are everyone else's. I would be perfectly fine with a warm reception to period issues or energy management days or whatever we wanted to call them, its ridiculous in many jobs that we might be expected to grind through shit periods making it worse and us more tired or whatever, instead of just managing work around productivity. Its interesting that senior folk (mostly men) do this anyway (cough golf course cough) its only junior (more female?) Parts of the workforce that are considered wrong for managing themselves.

So..short answer.. Its good to get this on the mental agenda regularly, if not feed into better workplace management for all.

[Movingonmymind]

Voldy, really sorry to hear that. Your periods sound hugely debilitating, painful, lengthy and in need of lots of medical support. And certainly shouldn't be expected to work during that. But I think sick leave should cover that. I am fortunate, like many women, that I don't need specific period leave so have no need to take it so don't see that it would help any feminist cause for me to be able to do so.

[OhShutUpThomas]

Those of you bitching about this being a set back for women need to take a serious fucking look in the mirror at yourself, because the patriarchal system feeds of the women-on-women hatred that you're fueling with your attitudes.

Err.....sorry? I have absolutely zero hatred for women.
I think that gimmicks like this fuel the patriarchy to be honest, and mark women out as the weaker sex by drawing attention to the 'reasons we're not as reliable or strong workers as men.'
I think it fuels that. Not 'women-on-women hatred.'

[RonaldMcDonald]

I was blithely unaware of period woes. They were something I read about but never ever experienced.

I am now perimenopausal and my periods are terrible, terrible things.

For one day of my period I am often faint, nauseous or actually sick, have diaorreah and take strong, strong painkillers to counteract very painful contraction pain. I also flood during these days which is another particularly wonderful side effect
I would not expect anyone to work in these circumstances but given the nature of my work I drag myself in. These are not my best working days.
I do not begrudge period days if they are needed. I would not have made use of them in my youth but would if I could now

[80schild]

Difficult. I see part of the problem as the work culture that we have nowadays which rewards people who never take time off work - there should not really be a reward for being fortunate enough not to be ill.

If people were just normal about illness and work having up to 10 days off sick a year wouldn't seem so extortionate.

[BennyTheBall]

My periods have never been more than one day of mild cramps and a need, on day one, to change my tampons frequently.

However, my colleague has the most horrendous first day of her period - she has terrible pain and can't be away from the loo for more than half an hour. She has frequently flooded and passes massive clots. She looks grey on that day.

I'd love for her to get a day off or work from home on that day. Unfortunately, she has an admin role which is not eligible for home working.

[Movingonmymind]

I would prefer the all encompassing "duvet days" used by some NUS employers, especially mental health trusts where you can call in sick X number of days, no questions asked. This could include period pain, easily, as well as mental health issues, chronic back pain etc . For me, it's not the principle, it's what we call it.

[Movingonmymind]

Meant nhs employers

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

Problem is, MovingOn, my periods are considered completely NOT needing medical attention. I have PCOS, and am fighting for an endometriosis diagnosis. Endo takes on average ten years to diagnose. There are thousands of women with symptoms exactly the same as mine who have no medical reason, and so are not entitled to any sick leave, because they are considered 'just periods'.

Which is where something like this is really needed.

Pointing out an issue that women have to deal with isn't saying they're less reliable, it's starting a discussion and awareness surrounding it! It is okay to say "this is something that happens to women, and it's a problem".

It's Endo awareness month in March. Fantastic that these discussions start now.

[peaceoftheaction]

There is certainly no hatred of women from me, on the contrary. I'm really shocked by some of the sad stories on here about how bad peoples periods are. There's clearly a big issue right there that needs tackling as women shouldn't have to suffer so much irrespective of work issues.
But wrt workplace I agree with ohshutupthomas it potentially fuels the patriarchy and attitudes towards women which aren't helpful for the majority.
Of course it would be great if things weren't the way they are, and I can see the arguments that it might change attitudes - but also agree with pp we're not there yet. I think from an employers POV it's not great tbh if these sort of concessions have to be made for periods.
Massive sympathy to all those suffering these debilitating periods.

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

Oh yes - and the motherfucker of all migraines.

[keeprunninguphill]

I can't imagine anyone who is self employed would take a day off work because of period pain.

[peaceoftheaction]

I agree movingonmymind that duvet days which cover periods mh issues etc and are not gender specific are a better solution

[Ememem84]

manic oh I know teachers are allowed to be off sick. I just meant in dsis' case it'd be frowned upon by her head to be off more than once. In her career. Which she's already done and the head yelled at her he may/may not be a knobber

[MrsJayy]

Oh yeah bleeding and violent diarrehea (sp) is a delight sitting on a toilet in agony really is the pits. If women are saying this puts feminism back then how are other women who suffer meant to feel and react they go to work unwell feel some sort of shame if they have time off make up illnesses because they dont want anybody thinking aww poor delicate flower has a sore tummy diddums

[ouryve]

Flexi days, Mrs Jayy.

[Movingonmymind]

agree. And that sounds crap, Voldy . How can they allow you to suffer for 10 years??? I think they're should generally be much more openness about gynae issues and the need for better support but maybe not couched as a period day-for one it downplays what you're suffering and for another it gives people such as me an unnecessary perk which risks alienating men further. Agree, it's patricarchy to blame but we have to work within it to make improvements. It's the system we have, sadly.

[Movingonmymind]

There not they're!

[ouryve]

It's because of the bloody patriarchy that women are forced to work through symptoms that most men would run home crying to mummy with.

[MrsJayy]

Well if its flexidays (thanksouryve) then surely that would be more productive to a workplace ?

[Viviennemary]

I absolutely agree OP. Even though I've suffered with very bad period pains. There are several things available from GP's that can help. If people are ill with period pains they must take sick leave. Why not Migraine days too. They can also be very debilitating. It's a mad idea.

[bettyberry]

Surely, when half of the workforce is dealing with something that can impact on our ability to work effectively and they are not catered for that is sexism?

Why is this a bad thing? surely teaching everyone that menstrual cycles can and do have a massive impact on many women takes it from being the shitty joke thrown about by usually men that 'oh, time of the month is it?' if we are a bit short tempered or not quite our usual selves because the cramps feel like someone is tearing a hole through intestines to it being more accepted and as normal as it.

Suggesting women take sick leave is a bit daft. We're not sick when we have a period, its a normal part of being a woman. That's before you even consider many employers will sack you if you take too much time off in a 3/6 mth period.

I get cluster migraines around my period. They are exhausting and make me feel physically sick (cant take preventatives due to other meds) That's 3 days a month I may have to manage migraines. My migraines are made worse by lights (painful) and smells (make ne feel sick).The painkillers I take can leave me feeling high and drowsy. Then a good 2-3 days to deal with painful cramps that I can feel through my thighs. I have to change my pads every 2 hours for the first day. My IBS goes haywire and Its also the only time I get insomnia and struggle to sleep. My ability to function at its normal level is impaired. If I was in any workplace I would be back and forth to the bathroom to manage my period its would result in a disciplinary and it really isn't so easy to manage if you are on shift alone.

And with things like this always ask yourselves 'If men had this problem and it only affected them, what would they do?'

[Lanark2]

Men could drink a vial of active food poisoning bacteria every month to balance things out. Now not all of them would get debilitating sweats, abdominal cramps and dehydrating headaches, but some would...and maybe all on a few occasions that may be enough..