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Culture April 4, 2017
Italy is on the way to becoming the first western country with menstrual leave.
A new law is in the early stages in the lower house of Italy’s parliament. And should it pass, it would require companies to grant three days of paid leave each month to female employees with painful periods.
In light of the shocking development, ENTITY looks at five other countries with menstrual leave.
Japan is way ahead of the curve with menstrual leave. They were the first country to institute it, back in 1947.
The trailblazing measure leaves it to individual companies to choose the number of days, but allows women with painful periods “seirikyuuka” or “psychological leave.”
Menstrual leave came into play in Japan just after World War II. There weren’t enough sanitary facilities for all of the women entering the workforce.
Women are allowed to ask for one day off for menstrual leave per month. Though many women admit that they are too uncomfortable to benefit from the 2001 law. I mean, imagine asking a male boss for a day off for your painful period. Cringe.
In 2013 Taiwan jumped on the trend, offering menstrual leave as part of an amendment to the country’s Act of Gender Equality in Employment.
Women are guaranteed three days of menstrual leave per year in addition to the 30 days of half-paid sick leave offered to all workers.
Women are allotted two days of menstrual leave per month per the law. Unfortunately, it may not be that simple for Indonesian women, as many companies just ignore the law.
Women in the northern Shanxi and central Hubei provinces of China are entitled to menstrual leave.
Female employees in the Anhui Province just gained the benefit last month, though taking advantage of their days requires a doctor’s note.
Companies offering menstrual leave
Additionally, UK company Coexist recently announced a new “period policy” which strives to allow women to take time off during their periods without stigma.
And Nike has had menstrual leave in their code of conduct since 2007. They even make business partners sign a memorandum of understanding to maintain company standards.
It’s great that women in these countries won’t have to suffer through painful periods to maintain their status at work. They can simply evoke their “menstrual leave” instead of using up all of their sick or vacation days.
And let’s be real – many of us have probably experienced those days, crouched in bed in the fetal position with a heating pad. It’d be great not to have to worry about popping far too many ibuprofen or Midol just to get through the work day.
But could that make us seem weak? Periods are stigmatized as it is, and extra sick days could make it seem like women can’t handle them. You know, something we’ve been doing since the beginning of time.
Or worse – it could reinforce the stereotype that women are irrational and useless during menstruation. Companies may even be hesitant to hire women, knowing they stand to lose them for two or three days a month.
So, we have to ask – obvious benefits aside – is menstrual leave really a good idea?
