Researchers emphasise that menstrual health should be on the wellbeing agenda
Experts are calling for the inclusion of women's menstrual health in organisations' wellbeing agendas after new research revealed that they remain a neglected aspect in the workplace.
Researchers from the University of Portsmouth found that only 18% of workplaces offer some form of menstrual health support within their wellbeing initiatives.
A smaller 12% have a dedicated menstrual health support programme for employees.
The research attributed the neglect to "cultural stigma," which prevents open discussions about menstrual health at work, hindering effective support and even discrimination.
"It shouldn't be a taboo topic - it should be part of an organisation's health and wellbeing agenda," said Karen Johnston, a professor from the university's School of Organisations, Systems, and People.
"Alongside training, organisations should explore flexible working and ways to support employees experiencing severe menstrual problems."
According to the research, employees who are supported in their menstrual health are more productive, take fewer sick days, stay in their roles longer, and engage more.
On the other hand, the lack of support may lead to depression, poor concentration, reduced performance, as well as an overall negative effect on women's wellbeing at work.
The research called for more studies that will identify organisational practices that can further support women who are experiencing severe menstrual health issues in the workplace.
"We need to recognise that women and girls menstruate - it's a natural part of life," said Amtullah Oluwakanyinsola Adegoke, lead author of the report, in a statement. "As members of society, their needs should be acknowledged as part of the life cycle. While menopause awareness has grown, menstrual health and endometriosis are still not widely understood."
Menstrual leave in workplaces
In the United Kingdom, employers are not mandated to provide paid menstrual or "period" leave. Earlier this year, there was a campaign to introduce statutory paid menstrual leave for people with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis.
The UK government, however, said that they have no plans to introduce the policy, noting that its employment rights reforms will help manage health at work.
"The Government takes women's health issues very seriously, and we are committed to tackling them and supporting women to balance work with wider life circumstances," it said in August.
It noted that endometriosis and adenomyosis are classified as disabilities under the Equality Act 2010, which mandates employers to make reasonable adjustments for employees experiencing them.
"Reasonable adjustments can include useful changes such as phased returns to work, part-time working or flexible hours," the government stated.
"These adjustments ensure that disabled employees are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their non-disabled colleagues. Therefore, the Government has no plans to introduce statutory menstrual leave for people with endometriosis and adenomyosis."
