In an Ifop survey commissioned by menstrual panty brand Eve & Co, we find out strong adherence to menstrual leave. One thousand female employees were interviewed in September 2022 to get this overview.
A third of respondents (35%) say pain during period has a negative impact on one’s work. Furthermore, 65% say they have already faced difficulties related to their rules at work: concentration problems (48%), the difficulty standing (44%) or the difficulty in accessing toilets changing the hygienic protection (38%), are the first three reasons.
Not surprisingly, the survey also shows that female workers working in very male occupational sectors (industry, construction) are those who receive the most contemptuous remarks on their rules.
A very popular menstrual leave
So how popular is the idea of menstrual leave? In this survey, 66% of women are in favor, which represent two thirds of the respondents. Only 10% are completely against it.
However, their opinion also conflicts to the social gaze still focused on the rules of the world of work : women “Anticipate the consequences with respect to one’s professional environment”indicates the survey.
The fear of having a bad reputation, be seen as lazy or fake pain not to work, it turns out for many women interviewed: 53% of women who say they would not take menstrual leave if they had the opportunity to answer “Who are afraid of not being believed or of being considered lazy”. Furthermore, 39% of them have “Fear of the way others might look at them”.
Finally, many respondents believe that the introduction of menstrual leave would have negative consequences: 71% think this could be an obstacle to hiring. However, nearly as many (66%) believe that a company that grants this leave would be more attractive than one that does not.
More than one in two employees (54%) does not talk about their time with the women they work with and this rises to 80% when it comes to discussing it with a supervisor. Discussing his rules with men in his company seems even more uncomfortable: 89% would not be able to tell their colleagues and 92% I couldn’t talk to a superior.
What if it was up to companies to take the first step to break the taboo of the rules?
Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki via Pexels
Source: Madmoizelle
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
