Practical advice to help employers provide support around menstruation and menstrual health in the workplace
Challenges around menstruation and menstrual health are common and can have an impact on working life. Despite menstruation being a normal part of life, and the prevalence of menstrual health challenges, these issues are often shrouded in taboo and silence in the workplace. When asked whether they had told their manager that the reason for not being able to go into work was because of their menstrual cycle, CIPD research found that around half of employees (49%) said they never tell their manager it’s related to their menstrual cycle.
This taboo is linked to broader societal attitudes around menstruation and menstrual health issues, but also because dedicated menstruation and menstrual health policies and provisions remain rare. Our research found that two-thirds (67%) of employers said there is no support available.
Offering appropriate support in the workplace can make people feel included, offer dignity and reduce embarrassment. It can increase employee attendance and legitimise absence where this is needed. It can increase performance, engagement, retention and employer branding.
Employers can improve employee experience by creating environments and work cultures that are menstruation-friendly, and by providing support for menstrual health conditions that is underpinned by the principles of compassion, empathy and inclusivity.
We know employers come in all shapes and sizes, with different working practices and environments. This guide is designed to support any employer wanting to develop a supportive framework. The practical suggestions can be adapted for different work environments.
Affiliate membership offers instant access to CIPD resources without the need for assessments or study, or explore your options to become a professional member of the CIPD to demonstrate your commitment to the world of work.
Already a member? Login here.
Rachel Suff, Senior Policy Adviser at the CIPD, uses recent data from the CIPD’s Health and wellbeing at work survey report, supported by Simplyhealth to offer recommendations for organisations and UK Government policy-makers to help reduce record-high employee absence
Watch our webinar to explore how organisations can create a work environment that supports employees throughout their career including in menopause and fertility challenges as well as with their menstrual health.
Register now
Practical advice for people professionals to maximise the impact of engaging with all employees through employee voice channels
Practical guidance for managers on preventing and reducing stress at work
This guide provides a practical introduction to the role of an L&D function in an organisation. It offers support on the key steps to offering effective L&D, including creating a learning strategy, undertaking a learning needs analysis, designing learning interventions and measuring the impact of learning.
Understand what strategic workforce planning is and how to do it