Giving women time off for periods

alroley · 23-03-2016 07:50PM

I am very lucky, the worst I get is a bit of nausea and slight cramps on my first day sometimes. But, there are women who get cramps so severe that they pass out. I definitely believe in cases like those(and not even that extreme) that they should be able to get time off.

MadDog76 · 23-03-2016 07:55PM

My Dad once said to me "Son, never trust anything that can bleed for 3 days without dying .......", how right he was!!

alroley · 23-03-2016 08:04PM

MadDog76 wrote: »

My Dad once said to me "Son, never trust anything that can bleed for 3 days without dying .......", how right he was!!

3?

Imnotthehulk · 23-03-2016 08:06PM

Out of curiosity I did a quick google for Nike's code of conduct and what it says about menstrual leave ... it seems to be a fact quoted in every article about Menstrual Leave ... but it seems to boil down to just ensuring that women can take this leave in countries that already support it, without having to face an examination.

"No physical exams may be conducted to verify eligibility for menstrual leave if it is a benefit mandated by country law."

The way a lot of articles are written, it's implied that menstrual leave is a company wide benefit ...

thattequilagirl · 23-03-2016 08:12PM

Last time I got my period at work, I had to take a couple of hours off. The pain was really intense and I couldn't concentrate on anything. Told my boss I wasn't well and needed to take an early lunch. Got some painkillers and a cup of tea and just sat it out until I felt well enough to go back in.

I don't know where I stand on menstrual leave, but I do wish men would be a bit more grown up about discussion around periods. Like I know fully grown adult men who watched their children's births who recoil in horror at the very mention of it...

py2006 · 23-03-2016 08:16PM

thattequilagirl wrote: »

but I do wish men would be a bit more grown up about discussion around periods. Like I know fully grown adult men who watched their children's births who recoil in horror at the very mention of it...

In what respect do men you know need to grow up? It is not a subject men are fully aware of and it is something women don't discuss with men generally.

thattequilagirl · 23-03-2016 08:22PM

py2006 wrote: »

In what respect do men you know need to grow up? It is not a subject men are fully aware of and it is something women don't discuss with men generally.

In the respect I mentioned in my post... Many men react with disgust/horror if you mention that you've got your period (which is why women don't usually discuss it with men as you said)

To me, a grown up response would be to talk about it the same way you would a toothache or migraine.

mansize · 23-03-2016 08:23PM

MadDog76 wrote: »

My Dad once said to me "Son, never trust anything that can bleed for 3 days without dying .......", how right he was!!

He didn't though...

Arkady · 23-03-2016 08:25PM

Yes, why not have the time off. More employment for everyone.

Ice Maiden · 23-03-2016 08:37PM

Ah I don't mind if lads don't feel comfortable talking matter of factly about menstruation. Once they're not an absolute mortified mess, and in fairness i don't think many of them would be like that either. The most would be a bit jokey about it.

maudgonner · 23-03-2016 08:43PM

Ice Maiden wrote: »

Ah I don't mind if lads don't feel comfortable talking matter of factly about menstruation. Once they're not an absolute mortified mess, and in fairness i don't think many of them would be like that either. The most would be a bit jokey about it.

I find it kind of amusing the amount of guys who would happily watch gory videos or play the most violent of video games, but when faced with talk of period blood it's a whole other story

Peregrine · 23-03-2016 08:43PM

thattequilagirl wrote: »

I don't know where I stand on menstrual leave, but I do wish men would be a bit more grown up about discussion around periods. Like I know fully grown adult men who watched their children's births who recoil in horror at the very mention of it...

Some men. A crucial difference.

Little CuChulainn · 23-03-2016 08:46PM

Periods affect women differently. If a woman can produce a doctors note stating she suffers more than normal then I don't see why it can't be treated similarly to pregnancy related sick leave.

thattequilagirl · 23-03-2016 08:47PM

Peregrine wrote: »

Some men. A crucial difference.

Yup, I think it was fairly clear I don't mean every man on the planet.

Lavinia · 23-03-2016 09:30PM

Would be great not to have to go anywhere on day two.... :pac:

py2006 · 23-03-2016 09:33PM

thattequilagirl wrote: »

In the respect I mentioned in my post... Many men react with disgust/horror if you mention that you've got your period (which is why women don't usually discuss it with men as you said)

To me, a grown up response would be to talk about it the same way you would a toothache or migraine.

Disgust and horror or uncomfortable awkwardness?

I'd gladly discuss a toothache or migraine with a woman but not sure she would be comfortable discussing her periods?

Maybe I need to grow up?

keeponhurling · 23-03-2016 09:39PM

Ice Maiden wrote: »

Ah I don't mind if lads don't feel comfortable talking matter of factly about menstruation. Once they're not an absolute mortified mess, and in fairness i don't think many of them would be like that either. The most would be a bit jokey about it.

I've had it a few times with female colleagues.
I tell them about my blue balls, or cases where I p!ss blood and the likes.
Sometimes it's just extra measures needed to increase my sperm count, or to get longer erections.

Anyways, while most are grand with it, you get the odd old fashioned one who isn't cool with it and simply does not want to hear about it in the office.
Sometimes they're not happy with me getting the days off either, and passing my work to them either.

In fairness it's improving, but some are not nature enough to handle it (pardon the pun).
It's sad that they cannot accept modern men.

Tasden · 23-03-2016 09:43PM

thattequilagirl wrote: »

In the respect I mentioned in my post... Many men react with disgust/horror if you mention that you've got your period (which is why women don't usually discuss it with men as you said)

To me, a grown up response would be to talk about it the same way you would a toothache or migraine.

Why would you want to discuss it with people though?
I wouldn't mention my period to people, maybe at stretch I'd say to my sister that we should share a bottle of wine cause I have cramps, but that's about it really.
I'd be grossed out (well im not that precious but id be thinking why do they think it's necessary to tell me this) if somebody mentioned their diarrhea or bladder issues or similar, yeah its natural or whatever but I'd rather not know, so I don't think it's childish for men to be grossed out by someone mentioning their period.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 23-03-2016 09:53PM

Tasden wrote: »

Why would you want to discuss it with people though?
I wouldn't mention my period to people, maybe at stretch I'd say to my sister that we should share a bottle of wine cause I have cramps, but that's about it really.
I'd be grossed out (well im not that precious but id be thinking why do they think it's necessary to tell me this) if somebody mentioned their diarrhea or bladder issues or similar, yeah its natural or whatever but I'd rather not know, so I don't think it's childish for men to be grossed out by someone mentioning their period.

Really?!
I'd personally be quite open about all stuff like that. Periods, vomitting, diarrhoea, as would pretty much all the girls I'd be good friends with. My OH knows my cycle as well as I do, and not just because I'm a crazy bitch, because I'm a crazy bitch the whole month through. Maybe 10 years desensitised his squirmy side, but he'd pick up tampons on his way home from work if I needed him to, or he'd give me cuddles and tummy rubs when I have cramps. I'll tell him if it's very heavy, before I lived with him he had a hot water bottle there for the sole purpose of periods.
In my experience, most guys I'd be close to, I'd feel comfortable enough to say "I feel crap today, I have the worst cramps" and they aren't awkward.

Diarrhoea now would be a different story, guys I know are a bit more disgusted about that.

I guess some people are private, some people are awkward or squeamish. If it makes any party uncomfortable then fair enough, it's off limits

kowloon · 23-03-2016 09:57PM

If you don't feel well you get the day off, shouldn't need a doctor's cert unless you're taking a lot of days. Most workplaces are fine with this.

Tasden · 23-03-2016 09:59PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Really?!
I'd personally be quite open about all stuff like that. Periods, vomitting, diarrhoea, as would pretty much all the girls I'd be good friends with. My OH knows my cycle as well as I do, and not just because I'm a crazy bitch, because I'm a crazy bitch the whole month through. Maybe 10 years desensitised his squirmy side, but he'd pick up tampons on his way home from work if I needed him to, or he'd give me cuddles and tummy rubs when I have cramps. I'll tell him if it's very heavy, before I lived with him he had a hot water bottle there for the sole purpose of periods.
In my experience, most guys I'd be close to, I'd feel comfortable enough to say "I feel crap today, I have the worst cramps" and they aren't awkward.

Diarrhoea now would be a different story, guys I know are a bit more disgusted about that.

I guess some people are private, some people are awkward or squeamish. If it makes any party uncomfortable then fair enough, it's off limits

I just have no need whatsoever to discuss it :pac:
If I have a migraine I take a pill and hope it works. Same if I have cramps. I have no need to tell people of my agony with either unless its to ask to go home.
Boyfriends would only ever be told about my cycle as a warning not to venture down there :pac:
Other than that, no need to discuss it, nothing to do with me being private or shy or anything, just no need for it.

Edit: i really love that pacman guy

Mint Aero · 23-03-2016 10:02PM

maudgonner wrote: »

Oh you delicate flower! The trauma you have suffered!

Spanner comment mate. Should've said for. It wasn't an easy environment to work in.

osarusan · 23-03-2016 10:10PM

THERE SHALL BE NO MENTION OF MOONCUPS.

23-03-2016 10:50PM

osarusan wrote: »

THERE SHALL BE NO MENTION OF MOONCUPS.

Moon

Cups

LETHAL LADY · 23-03-2016 10:52PM

osarusan wrote: »

THERE SHALL BE NO MENTION OF MOONCUPS.

I prefer to shout "THERE WILL BE BLOOD"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_zb2l8_I4w

osarusan · 23-03-2016 10:54PM

ah now

23-03-2016 11:00PM

I don't know really. The only time I had to be sent home from work because of my period was when I was about 17. Was working in a swimming pool, if anyone has ever worked in a swimming pool before you know how hot the pool area can be! Unless you're actually in the pool. Anyway, between the heat and the pain and standing still for too long I passed out.

Haven't really got major period pains since I went on the pill shortly after that fainting incident. However, I do have a few friends that get awful period pains. A colleague of mine has to always have a hot water bottle at her desk because of the cramps she gets. She wouldn't be able to take sick days every month as we get penalised for taking too many sick days. So it would benefit some women. I can see lots of people taking the piss with it though, as many do with sick days.

maudgonner · 23-03-2016 11:08PM

osarusan wrote: »

ah now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RigIpVXm2xA

miezekatze · 23-03-2016 11:18PM

I would like if employers were a bit more understanding, but I'm not sure it would be right to give a standard 1 or two days off a month to everyone. My period can be quite bad, but where I work we get penalised for taking too many sick days, and we only get 4 paid days without a cert a year anyway. We also have to give a reason why we're off sick, it's so awkward! So I usually just suffer through it or try to work from home, once or twice a year if it's really bad I take a sick day and say I had a stomach bug or something. Would be better if it wasn't so much hassle to stay at home if needed.

LETHAL LADY · 23-03-2016 11:20PM

maudgonner wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RigIpVXm2xA

One word IMPLANON

Giving women time off for periods

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