'Period Pay'- Good or Bad?

So this weeks, the headlines and social media have been full of stories of a Bristol Firm who are have a new 'Period Policy' which by all accounts offers women paid time off if they are suffering from period pain etc. This would not be treated as sickness absence. Actually reading between the headlines it appears what they are simply offering is flexible working i.e. taking time off when your period comes and working it back up through the month. 



The female director (coincidence- I think not!) is quoted in the press as saying:

 'I have managed many female members of staff over the years and I have seen women at work who are bent over double because of the pain caused by their periods. Despite this, they feel they cannot go home because they do not class themselves as unwell.

“And this is unfair. At Coexist we are very understanding. If someone is in pain – no matter what kind – they are encouraged to go home. But, for us, we wanted a policy in place which recognises and allows women to take time for their body’s natural cycle without putting this under the label of illness'

This all sounds really admiral, and many people will be will be applauding this policy, and how the needs of female staff are being catered for. After all this is unique to women! 

I am hugely supportive of women's rights, and have always classed myself as a feminist. There is no doubt in my mind that women have a raw deal in the world compared to men, and you only have to look at the gender pay gap, and the representation of women in senior roles to see that. Having said that, I am slightly sceptical about this whole 'period policy'.

There is no doubt that some women are hugely affected by their period, and that it can be greatly debilitating, but I would argue that for the vast majority we are able to function quite well during our period- shock horror! Apart from being a bit of a grumpy cow at my time of the month, and the occasional cramp, l tend just to get on with things as normal, and I don't think I am alone on this. Obviously I don't speak for all women, but having done some research, chronic period pain and blood loss affects about 20% of menstruating women annually (instances tend to increase with age) so the numbers of women affected in the workplace are going to be small.

The Equality Act does offer some protection to people who have disabilities. You have a Disability ' if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities'. I would argue that if someone does suffer with chronic period pain that stops them carrying out their normal day to day tasks, they would come under this definition any way.

The Equality Act states that if a person does classify themselves as having a disability, then reasonable adjustments should be considered. These reasonable adjustments. The duty to make reasonable adjustments aims to make sure that as a disabled person, you have, as far as is reasonable, the same access to everything that is involved in getting and doing a job as a non-disabled person. So for example, a reasonable adjustment may be to make changes to your sickness absence processes to allow a person more day off with sickness absence before taking disciplinary action. This is a frequently used reasonable adjustment, and I would argue, the more appropriate route to go down when someone suffers with chronic period pain.

This particular policy  is also just offering a way of flexible working which most employers should be offering anyway if they are supportive of their employees (not just women). We will all have occasions when we are unable to work our designated hours, due to a variety of reasons and the ability to work flexibly is crucial to maintaining a good work life balance. I am very lucky that I am able to work flexibly in my current role, and I think this is extremely important for any working mother. It is a shame that something has to be branded as a 'period policy' when it is something most employers should be offering anyway!

There is no need for a separate 'Period Policy' if you use common sense and adhere to the law as it already stands. The company in question has gained a lot of publicity from this policy, and I can't help thinking that it is all a bit of a PR stunt really. 

The director is also quoted as saying:

'For too long there’s been a taboo surrounding periods – I have women staff telling me they’re ashamed to admit they’re in pain. I want us to break down that shame and replace the negativity with positivity. Both men and women have been open to the ideas, especially from the younger generation'

Yes I agree that there is still stigma and a taboo around period pain, but I am not sure this policy will do anything to alleviate that. Surely it's your own business when you have to take time off because your unwell, and the fact that you are taking time off under the period policy, doesn't mean that this should be broadcasted around the workplace. I certainly wouldn't want all my colleagues knowing that I was having my period- I would prefer to tell them I had been unwell, or need to take some time off and leave it at that!

I also think that it adds weight to the label that is placed on women, that we are all weak, fragile and need to be treated with kid gloves. We are tougher than some people give us credit for!

I know that not everyone will agree with my point of view, but sometimes it feels good to have your say!