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Those awful period days when you just wish you could curl up in bed with a cup of tea and a sappy movie, but have to go to work instead, might soon be a thing of the past. At least, they are for employees of UK non-profit Coexist. The organization is rolling out their “period policy,” which allows women to call in sick on really bad cramp days.
And no, staff members of Coexist aren’t losing sick days, either. The newly-created benefit days are on top of their already mandated sick days. The small company employs mostly women, but also seven gents, who say they are totally cool with this new policy. The company’s CEO says she believes that happy workers are more efficient workers, and that this option will increase productivity overall.
While the jury’s still out on whether Coexist is truly setting a precedent, the bigger issue looms: Are we further setting women apart by saying they are too weak to work on certain days? And are male colleagues really cool with added days off for something natural that happens to most ladies? How about women who don’t have periods? This whole issue is pretty sticky, and we’re wondering if this will truly be something that sweeps the nation, or dies off quickly to be replaced by better alternatives for equal work places. Either way, paid menstrual leave is something we’re looking forward to talking more about.
Would you take period days if they were offered at your workplace? Let us know @BritandCo!
(h/t PureWow. Photo via iStock)
