Paid Period Leave is Gaining Traction, but Both Sexes Remain Divided on the Concept

Unless you’ve experienced it yourself, you’ll never quite understand and appreciate the effects of the female period.

With our monthly visitor come feelings or irritation, angst, bloating and an inability to concentrate. But that’s just part of it; period cramps are quite another. At best, they can be distracting. At worst, they can be plain debilitating – and sometimes, no amount of Midol will help your cause.

Naturally, this makes it a major challenge to get any work done at the office.

But, of course – though cramps are reason enough to blow off a hot date or a personal training session – they’ve never been a valid excuse to miss work (at least, not in your boss’s eyes). Recently, however, employers are realizing that employees who are doubled over in pain aren’t productive workers, and have offered their female staff to take time off for period cramps.

Image: Underground Health

Image: Underground Health

In the UK, Coexist’s official “period policy” allows females (and most of its staff is female) to take time off during their periods, with the belief that it will make the workplace more creative and efficient. Furthermore, Zambia’s “Mother’s Day” law – which has been in effect for a year – allows women to take the day off when symptoms of menstruation become too painful.

While Coexist has reported that the policy is well received by both genders, not everyone is on board with the concept – including females.

In Zambia, the effects of the law are sparking a debate about gender sensitivity in a professional setting. While select companies are adopting their own policies for dealing with menstruation, the new law puts Zambia ahead of other nations and is not without its opposition. It’s only one part of the country’s efforts to make the national labour market more female-friendly. (Another includes 12 weeks paid maternity leave for employees who have been with the company for at least two years).

Image: Everyday Health

Image: Everyday Health

As Quartz reports, there is a divide when it comes to things like Zambia’s Family Day law. While some endorse it, others point to the potential of some women taking advantage of it, especially since there’s no way of proving whether or not they are indeed menstruating. Some point to the potential of a group of female employees taking Mother’s Day at the same time, and the ramifications on productivity.

Another concern is that implementing things like a period policy may actually increase gender inequality in the workplace (at a time when, sadly, we still need all the help that we can get).

For example, in an opinion piece for Forbes, writer Tim Worstall argues that adding in extra days off for women could increase the gender pay gap. He says that the implementation of such policies will only result in it “costing more” to hire female employees. Others say that signalling women out for having her period only perpetuates the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation.

While people remain divided on the issue, it looks like we are only going to see more companies adopt menstrual-related policies for their employees – and we’re all for it.

Perhaps at very least, the option to work from home should be granted. After all, a bed, hot water bottle and sweatpants may be all you need to help your productivity cause once “Aunt Flow” decides to visit.