Menstrual Health And Workplace Productivity — How Can Menstrual Health Be Maintained At Work
(By Dr Sayeeda Pearl)
Why Is Menstrual Health An Important Workplace Concern?
Menstruation is a natural biological phenomenon, but it's still a relatively neglected aspect of women's health in the workplace. As more women play key roles across all industries, it's important to understand how menstrual health affects their productivity, wellbeing, and overall workplace participation. Building supportive environments isn’t a health matter- it's a matter of equality and performance.
Link Between Menstrual Health And Workplace Productivity:
Many women experience challenges during menstruation, such as cramps, fatigue, bloating, headaches, or mood swings. These can harm overall physical wellness, reduce mental focus, and lower energy levels at work. If these issues are not supported or addressed, it can lead to reduced productivity, higher rates of absenteeism. Which means employees often miss work or work despite being unwell or not in their optimal health which lowers their productivity. Managing menstrual health-challenges faced by women at the Workplace Even though there has been progress made in gender equality and women’s rights, many women still struggle with managing their menstrual health at workplace.
Common Challenges They Face:
Common challenges that they face include:
- Hesitation to openly discuss discomfort or time off stems from stigma as well as resistance directed toward open discussion due to that cultural taboo around menstruation. They have worries that others may see them as being less skilled. This worry does extend to being viewed as unprofessional within the workplace.
- Unhygienic Work Condition: Workplaces lack of clean toilets, of proper hygiene facilities, and of private spaces, so then women battle in order to manage their menstrual health with comfort and with dignity during the workday.
- Inflexible Work Conditions: Menstrual discomfort is worsened when workers must work for long hours, and workers do jobs that are physically demanding. Little flexibility exists for workers toward taking breaks. Energy focus and overall performance may suffer.
- Limited Awareness and Sensitivity: Managers and co-workers might respond insensitively and remark, if they lack awareness around menstrual health plus its impact on wellbeing. This results in a workplace within environment. The setting lacks a feeling of support.
Essential Resources And Support That Truly Impact Well-being:
Organisations can take meaningful steps to support menstrual health for this fosters a workplace that is inclusive healthy as well as empowering all employees.
- For an employee, they are enabled so that they can considerately manage their health and responsibilities by implementing flexible options which are like work-from-home, flexible or adjusted hours, or menstruation leave.
- Making pads/tampons, or menstrual cups in easy available and accessible can allow employees to be prepared to address the unpredictable timing of menstruation.
- Teams can be educated by organisations in awareness programs impacting entire teams regardless of gender, so they empathize about this health issue, develop awareness, and break down taboos.
- Enabling employees to take short breaks during discomfort can help reduce it and thereby improve well-being.
- A workplace where open discussion about menstruation and its impact on women’s health is promoted can help ensure employee wellbeing.
Menstrual health is an essential element of workplace wellness. By recognising menstruation as a genuine health concern, companies can take a forward-thinking approach to support their female employees. This commitment creates an inclusive, healthy, and productive workplace where every individual feels valued and empowered.
Dr Sayeeda Pearl is Consultant Gynaecologist at HCL healthcare, SEZ Chennai
[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]
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