Is your Period Taboo at Work?
Back in the day our ‘Queen of Tampax’ Director, Vicki Allen, used to visit businesses and ask to speak to the person ‘who deals with ladies welfare’. What she really meant was, can I talk to anyone who deals with your sanitary disposal and period products, but this wasn’t the way things were spoken about. Hardly surprising given this was in a time when period products were passed over the counter in a brown paper bag and men were asked if they wanted condoms using the phrase “something for the weekend Sir”.It may be surprising though that this stigma still exists in many workplaces.
In fact even now 85% of UK women feel stressed or anxious when managing with their period at work.
People menstruate. Fact. Period. It is completely normal and natural, yet there is still so much embarassment, uncomfortable moments when discussing periods. Everyone in this world either menstruates or cares about someone who menstruates – why is the shame still there? If you’ve hidden a tampon up your sleeve, sneaked a pad in your bra on the way to the loo, you will know what we are talking about (74% of us).
Organisations can make a difference, with simple practical changes. It is not just about free period products, providing the provision of period products is important but also ensuring access to toilets is provided. Being able to be open about periods, staff members improving their thinking and learning – not just being a tick box exercise. In the UK there is a period product scheme to provide free products and women in state schools and up to 19 in education organisations.
It seems now is the right time to challenge our thinking, leaders of organisations recognising what support should be provided, what education is needed and move period talk from a taboo subject to normalising conversations around menstruation and menopause.
