Workplace Impact of Menstruation Symptoms: What Employers Can Do

A recent report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has unveiled startling statistics on how menstruation symptoms affect women in the workplace. Titled “Menstruation and Support at Work,” the report surveyed over 2,000 women, shedding light on the challenges related to menstrual health that women face at work.

The Alarming Findings:

According to the report, a staggering 69 percent of women reported a negative impact on their work due to menstruation symptoms. Commonly cited symptoms included abdominal cramps (60%), irritability (52%), fatigue (49%), and bloating (49%). These symptoms significantly affect women’s professional lives, with 61 percent admitting to working when unwell, and 20 percent taking sick leave due to menstruation-related issues.

Impact on Women’s Careers:

The report further reveals the profound impact of these symptoms on women’s careers, with respondents noting:

• 63% feeling less able to concentrate
• 50% experiencing increased stress
• 49% being less patient with colleagues or clients
• 38% feeling less confident at work

Moreover, 15 percent of women reported having menstrual health conditions such as PCOS, PMDD, or endometriosis, with 81 percent of those formally diagnosed citing a negative impact on work.

Challenges in Disclosure:

Despite the prevalence of these challenges, the report shows that 49 percent of women never disclose to their managers that their absence from work is related to their menstrual cycle. The reluctance stems from 45% feeling that the issue would be trivialised and 43 percent feeling embarrassed.

Call for Employer Action:

In response to these findings, the CIPD is urging organisations to raise awareness, tackle the stigma around menstruation, and equip managers with the confidence to discuss menstrual health.

How Employers Can Help:

We suggest simple measures, such as adopting flexible working practices and providing information about external resources, which can make a significant difference without imposing a substantial cost on businesses. Despite the challenges, only 12 percent of women surveyed noted that their organisations provide support for menstruation and menstrual health conditions.

The CIPD report underscores the urgency for a more empathetic and understanding workplace environment. Employers have the power to improve the working lives of employees experiencing menstruation symptoms by creating inclusive, supportive workplaces and ensuring managers are informed about the impact it can have. As the report recommends, adopting straightforward measures can make a meaningful difference without placing an undue burden on businesses.