Is ‘Period Policy’ Helpful or will just Slow Business Productivity?

A British-based company's "period policy" attracts a fierce debate among companies. They allow their female employees to have a time off during their menstrual period.

Bex Baxter, Coexist director said that the policy was made based on her own experience. It's hard to get the job done while having menstrual cramps, as reported by Modern Readers.

"If someone is in pain - no matter what kind - they are encouraged to go home," she said. "But, for us, we wanted a policy in place which recognizes and allows women to take time for their body's natural cycle without putting this under the label of illness," she added.

 She stated that while most assume that the policy will not slow the business' productivity. It will actually be beneficial to both business and employee.

"Cycle awareness is a mindfulness tool for women and men," said Alexandra Pope, founder and creator of women's leadership programme, Red School.

She said that it is a self-care tool and stress management. It offers a clear vision of creative process and "sustainable living for men and women," according to Bristol Post.

 L.V. Anderson, associate editor of Slate believe that the policy is just "reductive, narrow-minded and patronizing." Some women do not have painful menstruation might have other health problems that they want to use their sick days on, she stated.

"This is to say nothing about men who might reasonably come to resent their female colleagues for taking advantage of benefit unavailable to men," she added.

A Japanese woman in her 30's who wishes to remain anonymous said that her previous company offers the same policy. However, she has not taken a single menstrual leave, The Guardian reported.

"If you take menstrual leave, you're basically broadcasting to the entire office which days of the month you have your period," she said.

"It's not the sort of thing you want to share with male colleagues, and it could lead to sexual harassment," she added.