The UK’s national standards body, The British Standards Institution (BSI), has published guidance to workplaces on how to accommodate and support employees experiencing menstruation, perimenopause and menopause.
Research indicates that one in ten women leave their job due to menopausal symptoms and, on average, women lose nearly nine days of productivity a year as a result of period-related symptoms.
The Menstruation, Menstrual Health and Menopause in the Workplace Standard is intended to help companies identify misconceptions about periods and the menopause and sets out the following practical recommendations for employers to put in place to ensure employees feel comfortable and supported in the workplace:
- Increase awareness of menstruation and menopause and encourage open conversations
- Train managers to understand the potential impact of menstrual health on employees.
- Ensure adequate toilet facilities are accessible.
- Provide complimentary period and sanitary products.
- Ensure workplace policies consider menstruation and menopause.
- Consider flexible working patterns for staff.
This new work standard is a significant and welcome step forward and organisations are encouraged to take the recommended steps in a move towards creating a working environment suitable for everyone.
Developing workplaces in which menstruation and menopause are destigmatised and supported can enable organisations to better retain workers who might otherwise have considered leaving the workforce due to debilitating symptoms.
In workplace cultures where menstrual health is openly discussed and employees and employers work collaboratively to identify appropriate support and adjustments, employees perform at their best.
If you are a business looking for advice and assistance in implementing these recommendations, or an employee experiencing menstrual health or menopause issues in the workplace, please contact our Employment Team on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.