Period leaves address an important health issue for uterus-bearers. Earlier they had to give in to the capitalistic overlords and slog in pain. Now, thanks to collective advocacy, more companies and countries are recognizing our pain and sanctioning laws to safeguard our right to health. Period leaves are beneficial for employers and employees. Some of these benefits are as follows:
- Reduced stress and anxiety: Menstruation is both a physically and emotionally stressful time. The added pressure of work without the much-needed downtime exacerbates this stress and devolves into anxiety. Taking time off enables menstruators to prioritize their health, recharge, recalibrate, and rejuvenate. Ice cream, pain meds, and heating pads come to mind.
- Improved productivity: Imagine someone rings a doorbell unexpectedly and continuously while you work. Annoying, right? It reduces your concentration and productivity. Now replace the doorbell with your biology wreaking havoc and inflicting pain—the horror. Period leaves empower menstruators to cope by using their time to take care of themselves and return to work with renewed vigor!?
- Reducing stigma: Sanitary products being sold in opaque plastic bags to hide the oh-so-scandalous contraband within indicates a persisting sense of shame and embarrassment. Society still talks in hushed tones and outdated euphemisms about periods. But, periods are an essential part of life and the only shameful thing about it is how invalidating and unhelpful society can be at the mere mention of its existence. Period leaves help normalize a very human experience that around 800 million uterians undergo every single day. It creates an environment of inclusiveness that acknowledges and supports the unique needs of menstruators. If the elephant in the room is addressed, it becomes a part of the room!??
- Increased job satisfaction and morale: Validating a human experience helps spread a feeling of acceptance and sheer joy. Don’t we all want someone to offer us a warm beverage on bad days and just listen to us? Periods ARE the terrible days, when people need extra love, kindness, and affection, to endure. Period leaves offer exactly that. It’s a show of care and an acknowledgment of basic employee rights by employers. Working in such an environment is a pleasant experience that makes people want to contribute to the organization’s success. Win-Win!
Period leaves are integral to the mental and physical health of uterus-holders and are long overdue. They have the ability to empower and enable menstruators to lead a better life, relax, rejuvenate, and honor their needs with the much-needed downtime to deal with their bloody uteruses.