Paid menstrual leave takes aim at stigma of periods in the workplace
BNN Bloomberg
Some companies are adopting paid period leave policies in a growing focus on employee well-being and to better accommodate those that experience painful periods.
On the first day of her period, Amy Saunders says she's often stuck in bed with a hot water bottle, downing painkillers and drinking tea.
“I've always had painful periods,'' she says. “I've definitely had to use sick days or vacation days in the past.''
Saunders, the communications director for Diva International Inc., now has access to paid menstrual leave.
The Kitchener, Ont., maker of the DivaCup menstrual device has adopted a paid period leave policy offering menstruating workers a day off a month. Its decision comes amid a growing focus on employee well-being that emerged during the pandemic, with some workplaces expanding mental health benefits or making hybrid work arrangements permanent.
The company says the policy takes aim at the stigma surrounding periods in the workplace - an age-old taboo that's left menstruating co-workers covertly sharing tampons, Advil and heating pads to cope with symptoms while in the office.
“Any person who menstruates can take up to 12 paid days off per year,'' Diva founder and CEO Carinne Chambers-Saini said in an interview. “There's no doctor's note required. If you are suffering and you need that day, we take your word for it.''
