Workplace Period Policy

[BikeRunSki]

workplace introduces'period policy'

Interesting idea, although I couldn't see it working in a male dominated environment. I like it though.

the blanket statement that there's been 'no research' is a little bit silly to put it mildly. There are treatments. They don't work for everyone because that's the incredibly complex human body for you.

But the equally blanket statement that all females need to tailor their working lives round their periods is equally silly.

we are talking about a problem that affects some people, all of whom are female. Those people need help. Doesn't mean every female needs help.

surely it is more important that anyone for whom a period is more than a minor inconvenience gets treatment? Why are women suffering like this in 2016?

I totally agree, special, but it can be so hard to find effective treatment. That's not a criticism of doctors - not at all - more frustration at how much trial and error is involved. My periods are wacky - me and my doctor are trying to sort them out, first by taking me off the pill. It's been just over a month now and if things don't settle by 3 months we'll try something else. Some months I'll have two cripplingly heavy periods which are very painful, two weeks apart. Some months I'll have one that's not too bad. It's madness

Would it not be obvious to male employees what's going on? I'd rather keep my menstrual cycle private than have everyone thinking "oh, she's sick cos she's got the painters in"

Specail
I take your point, but as Agent points out any treatment and help is by trial and error.. Some focussed research may / could offer a way of identifying which treatment that does work for individual people.

On a lighter note, there was an article about the Air Taxis during WWII a while back in R4. This was the service that flew new plains from the factories to the operating stations. But a quirk of fate it was mostly staffed by women. They got to fly every type of plane the RAF was using... and mostly just by themselves. (Imaging climbing into a Lancaster by yourself to fly it to its operating base when it just rollled out the factory!). One of the pilots was telling how she had a hot water bottle at the back of her seat one day. The ground crew saw it and remarked. She brushed it off at the time, but in the interview she said it was because she was having terrible period pain. But in those days you couldn't admit to such things. Good on you girl..

absolutely agree that more research is needed for those cases that are still not being successfully treated. A period SHOULD only be a minor inconvenience. If it is not, it needs to be taken seriously.

but it still doesn't mean that every women is affected - most (I hope!) are not and so do not need period leave!

Well I for would greatly appreciate such a policy. I don't have painful periods, but I do have a very heavy flow. I do a job that depends upon me working outside, often in different unanticipated locations far away from toilets. Depending on which supervisor I have, I either get extra breaks or have to end up asking again and again to use the loo. There have been occasions where even with night time pads, two pairs of knickers etc. I have 'messed up'. I work with the public and often end up standing for long hours which makes it worse. You would think female supervisors would understand, but I find a lot of women take the pill, and have very light, if any, periods and sometimes they just do not get why you need to change every other hour.

For some reasons periods are still a taboo, (despite always ads) and I find some men are great and understand, but a lot are clueless as to why it's important to have extra 'bathroom' time. This despite having mothers, sisters and girlfriends I have taught both my sons what's involved, (and they hear me complain) as I do not want them growing up finding any discussion about periods distateful.

I do think there should be an awareness campaign, much like there is in terms of women struggling with symtoms of menopause in the workplace.

Some jobs make it less a problem, others, especially those at the lower end where a worker has less 'negotiation' strength, can make it a massive issue by default.

These days I try not to do shifts whilst on my period, full stop as I can't deal with the hassle. This means I earn less.

antique that sounds awful. Have you been to your GP. There are treatments available.