Do you support paid periods leave for working women?

[Awantika03]

[Anonymous]

No. Like my period usually lasts 3 days per month so if I took off 3 days per month every year that would be like 36 days. So your employer would be paying you for a month you are not at work.

I recognise that some women have particularly awful time of the month so maybe these days could be made up through flexi time, taken holidays, working weekends, overtime, working from home, unpaid pms leave etc.

I know some single women who work in offices often complain about having to pick up the slack at work for someone's maternity leave or because their kid has a school play etc and paid pms leave would be just the same.

It would be hard to ask for equal pay to men when expecting 36 paid days off per year on top of laid sick days and holidays.

I remember my father giving my sister in law advice on her career as she kept getting let go after a year or two in her jobs and they never gave a reason. What my father told her was that she was taking too many sick days, like 2-3 a month. Yes your entitled to take something like 28 paid sick days but it doesn't look good at the end of the year when they are reviewing your job performance, they just see you as costing them money.

[CMeow]

I think it should be allowed for women who have medical conditions that give them severe pain, excessive bleeding and strong symptoms with their period— such as women with endometriosis. Some medical conditions can make menstruation so severe that you can’t just “ignore it” or “push through.” I don’t think all women should get paid period leave because many normal periods are easily managed with sanitary products and pain relievers.

[sunflower00]

I totally agree with this. My periods suck but they aren’t bad enough that I can’t go in to work - yes I have pain and will be very uncomfortable but I can still get on with it. I understand for many women though they do have medical conditions that can make periods unbearable and I do think they should have extra sick days for this (not an extra week +, but a couple days per month at least)

[Djaay]

Funny how today's females are so demanding of themselfs and not tougher than those before her.

[ohsheeT]

I've never had a period so I don't know the pain that women go through are how bad they get but I have been around women that have gone through that before and I mean I have felt bad because I can just see it in their eyes I think that there should be some sort of an agreement made I think it all just depends on all the circumstances women go through a lot of crap women are pretty tough and I think once in a while they probably need a break I know women are tougher than me and I would want to see them get some sort of break I couldn't handle what they go through probably

[Surely]

Since I have never experienced a period. I can not speak on the possible pain and discomfort of one. Plus I have never dated nor been around a woman that you could even tell was on her time of the month.
But taking into consideration. The push for equal everything between the sexes. Only giving the women that may claim that they have painful periods extra time off. Would lead to lawsuits, workplace disputes, harassment and many other issues.
There is really no good answer to this issue.

[Surely]

@awantika03. Thank for the MHO!

[Adaeva]

No because, in effect, that would mean women would be paid more than men for the same work.. It might be okay to allow women to have unpaid leave or to use any unused sick or personal (vacation) leave. Even that would men business would be less likely to hire women unless their salaries are less. That is because it is expensive for for businesses to not have dependable workers and to hire temporary workers to take their place. For example, all teachers in elementary public schools are women. Even without the additional cost, it would not be good for the children to have substitute teachers 1 week out of every 4 weeks.

Most women can work during their periods. For the small percent that cannot, perhaps they should work for an agency that provides temporary help.

[YesterdaysChild]

Men are also able to take FMLA
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that their group health benefits be maintained during the leave.

FMLA is designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. It also seeks to accommodate the legitimate interests of employers and promote equal employment opportunity for men and women.

FMLA applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees. These employers must provide an eligible employee with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for any of the following reasons:

For the birth and care of the newborn child of an employee;
For placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care;
To care for an immediate family member (i. e., spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

[Adaeva]

@YesterdaysChild Regardless, that is unpaid leave and employees that utilize it are not the employees that will get promotions and raises. One way or the other, employers will look for ways to minimize their expenses and maximize their profits.

[YesterdaysChild]

That will most likely happen if they take leave or not. Especially in today's business world.

[Adaeva]

@YesterdaysChild The primary reason the USA has lost much of it manufacturing is because do-gooders in congress pass laws that increase the cost of doing business. Retailers, doctors, dentists, teachers, trucking, and restaurants cannot move out of the USA but manufacturers can. And, aside from a small percent of high paying jobs, manufacturing was the highest paying jobs.

[anon23ghost]

It would make up for the times we've been paid less. Why don't we women just take a win.

[Adaeva]

@anon23ghost Two wrongs don't make a right. And, many people such as commoners and servant classes and even some races were paid less in the past. However, they died many years ago and you can't change their past. If I could change history, there are many horrible things that happened that I would change but that is not possible and your desire punishing people (that is, men) alive now for wrongs they never did in is also wrong.

[jshm2]

Aka "sick days" It's part of work life.

What you're asking for is EXTRA sick days for women. But that is discriminatory, rather than keeping it discretionary to the business.

Most women WILL get the extra days out if they can provide the medical backing for it.

[BoopBoopBeep]

I've never had a job that actually required medical backing to use sick days unless you're going for more than three days. They have leave for that already. Don't need a free week every month unless you want to give up 25% of your pay.

[BungusHighFivePizza]

No! Business is not a charity. Even if you're dying of type-2 diabetes, you either can or can't do the work. The business isn't supposed to pay for this. It might seem cruel but business owners and investors are here to make money. You aren't making them money lying around all day for period or any other reason. If I get my arm broken, I understand that. If you want free money, ask the government. Don't ask the business.

[mb120101]

No , People would manipulate the system. You can't professionally prove you're on your period. I dont think tampon pics would fly. Also I have tremors from epilepsy and still go to work they can handle it. Just my opinion. If it was bad cramps then thats fair game to take off

[Losalt]

Honestly, yes.
But it would involve doing more work while at work or more hours when off the period.
But yes, as long as she does what is required of her and if she feel like she genuinely needs it she absolutely should be allowed some time off during her period without losing her wage.

[Rei13]

No I don’t think that should be a thing. I understand some women get them worse than others but you can call off if it is bad enough or if there is a medical condition involved you might be able to get FMLA if you’re eligible for it. It is just one of those unfortunate things about being a woman that you have to deal with and *generally* most people are pretty sympathetic at work if you’re not feeling well

[lightbulb27]

I could be talked into it... I'm such a liberal sometimes. I think women can be dangerous at this time and make more mistakes, be more sensitive. In modern workplace, and with hazards, it creates some additional degree of risk.

But pay them to not work... that's not productive.

How much time off would they need though. If we are talking 2 weeks of a month... um, stay home and let the men work that don't have this issue.

[menina]

Absolutely. Some women can't function when they're on their period. They have severe pain, some throw up, have headaches and some even pass out. No one chooses to have a period, especially one that is so painful and unpleasant, so I think there should be more empathy when it comes to this topic.

[Sirenboobzilla]

in my opinion, it seems like an easy system to abuse. However, I do believe they should be readily available. Some girls have such debilitating cramps. Me personally, I could do with the 1st day of my period off. That one's the worst for me. Following 2 days are more tolerable. The rest is just meh.

I do support it for the women who actually need it.

[Uannoyme]

I recognize that some women have horribly painful periods, however there are a lot of conditions that cause pain for both men and women. Why should periods be treated as special? Giving women extra sick days simply for being women will only cause employers to not hire women and good luck proving it. If a woman has periods that are so bad she can't work, there's always FMLA.

[4ngelic]

we dont need that its excessive. most people just need to take a bit of painkillers and its good. if your periods are so so bad that your in so much pain and stuff that you can't work you can call in sick if you want. its a bit ridiculous to make a law like that that's just for the exception

[D_Bone_Steak]

Women need all the special needs right? Reasons for the pay gap again...

I'm not trying to bang on women in general, but if this was some teenage dude... where is your sympathy? Dudes have a hard time too, but they're told to just suck it up and deal with it.

And I do have a bias... I mean have you worked with a female that comes up with a reason that needs her to be off work way more than everyone else? I have... it can sort of get ridiculous.

[D_Bone_Steak]

You being an employer... who would you prefer to hire? You really want to pay someone 9+ dollars/hour for not even being there... because what? You tell me you'd do that for some dude and maybe I'll buy you're just a philanthropist. But it is based on gender alone just makes me think it's sexist.

[Adam1978]

No, we have treatment for it and you need to learn to live with it. And the amount of women who litterly can't, maybe should start thinking about having any kids they want and after that remove the issue. Or chose the to be a housewife and they can rest when they need. Because this will only be abused. Why should some women get free days of while other doesn't. So they will try to include themselves into that group.

[Apple1996]

"Remove the issue" lol you do realize removing a womens uterus can cause a ton of other medical issues. Doing that would be worse for a woman then her having periods. So she'd need even more time off

And housewives don't always have the time to rest. I'm a SAHM and regularly bleed through my clothes cuz I get to busy caring for my kids/my house and don't have the time to even use the bathroom

[Adam1978]

Well we aren't built for working but it needs to be fair, you don't do anything productive when you are unhealthy so why would you get paid leave for it? For all I care you can earn your leave and use it on your bad days. But the healthy should have the same benefits or better. If you have a doctor opinion that says sickleave is an option fine. But then it should be welfare and a government pay, not the employer that pays the bill. Because they didn't give you your medical issues. Not that the state did, but they can found R&D in the field so the problem is reduced or removed.

[RealMarek]

How about having sufficient sick leave for everyone who suffers from debilitating physical symptoms. This way we could cover women with polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis but also men with migraines. Treat people on a case-by-case basis instead of by demographic group membership. As it stands now, too many Americans lack sufficient leave for handling illness or personal matters, much less vacation.

[mattclark242]

I don't know do is help the job business or company in anyway? If the women need to stay at home I think it ok. If the women can not work at the time but still need her job I think the pay should be the same as she get when she working so like the same rate maybe a bit more to help her pay the bills for help to support the new kid she haveing.

[Anonymous]

Menstruation can be a challenging and painful experience for many women, which can impact their productivity and well-being. Offering menstruation leave can help address these needs and support women in the workplace and in courts; this will help promote a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture.

[LiamJHayden]

It is not economically feasible for a company to have to pay perhaps four weeks pay for every three weeks worked. If enacted, companies would find a way to avoid hiring women who might normally utilize that benefit by hiring only men and post-menopausal women.

[convo_king89]

Only if it’s not manageable. Like how everyone when they get sick with a bad cold/flu. I think your boss might notice every month at the same you ask for it. With a cold or flu we just otc stuff to get through the day, you can use midol. But if keeps happening regularly I’m sure they will ask for a doctors note. But just being on ur period alone that’s stupid.

[Twalli]

No. I do think parental leave should be longer though. If "period leave" becomes a thing we will see a lot less premenopausal women hired.
We see the problem with young women in countries with long maternal leave. Unmarried or infertile women are preferred over those who may give birth.
"Period leave" will only harm women's employment

[BeMuse]

Nope. Do you support paid masturbation days for men when their gametes are eliminated from the body or paid hemorrhoid days for men if they have a bloody orifice? If you can't do the job, don't lie about your capabilities when you apply.

[Apple1996]

Yeah I don't see why not. Just give women a few more sick days then men. It's not fair to force women to work through unbearable pain especially if they have a medical condition that makes their periods worse.

[Twalli]

And when men and only women who don't have periods get hired?

[Apple1996]

@Twalli well then those women with periods will just have apply for unemployment and other government benefits taking more taxes from everyone that actually works 😂

[Apple1996]

@Twalli it'd be better to let those women work since they add value to the workforce instead of them taking from the system

[LiamJHayden]

It won't work that way. If employee A and employee B generate me the same amount of revenue per hour worked, but employee B only works 75% as much as employee A yet gets paid for the same number of hours, as a business owner I will find a way to replace employee B.

[Apple1996]

@LiamJHayden a woman isn't gonna work 25% less time if she's given a few extra sick days for her period lol

[Twalli]

If she takes a week off every month and a guy doesn't, we want the guy. As an employer I want employees who can generate the most revenue, which means I won't take someone who takes a aerk off monthly, plus I actually have to pay them for not generating revenue

[Twalli]

*week

[LiamJHayden]

@Apple1996 I went to the max, but even if it is 10% she still won't get hired.

[Apple1996]

@Twalli a week a month is obviously extreme. I'm just saying a few days. And if you really think about it a woman could just as easily get pregnant every year and require the 6, 8 or 12 weeks (depending where you live) off anyways. And in a situation like that it's illegal not to hire/fire a woman cuz she's pregnant so it's really not much different for periods

[Twalli]

I'm not saying that they would fire women, although in the US there's 6 month no fault firing. After that they probably wouldn't fire women who were taking period leave. Yet they could easily not hire any more women who would take it. You'd have trouble claiming sexism in hiring if that's the case.

[Apple1996]

@Twalli it would have to be added as sick days since a boss isn't allowed to ask why someone is taking sick days since that's considered medical info. No one would know if they are taking those days for periods or cuz of a flu/other sickness

[Twalli]

If it's a sick day, that's different, but all employees would have the same amount.

[Apple1996]

@Twalli I'm sure men need the extra sick days for their mental health. y'all don't handle stress well 😂

[Twalli]

For all you know we may handle it better than women, you just don't know the stressors we have

[Apple1996]

@Twalli men don't handle stress better. They just have all their addictions and hobbies to be able to ignore the stress instead of dealing with it

[nolabels]

I can't unsee that.

No, I do not support paid "period" leave for working women.

[SnowedIn]

If it's very serious, incapacitating, maybe. Otherwise, how is this different from what sick days should be used for?

[ImalwaysrightOK]

No, but I do support paid personal days for men and women to take for when they have an emergency or medical needs. I think if you have chronic period pain, you can get a doctor to excuse it as a monthly disability.

[007kingifrit]

that would make it more expensive to hire women... meaning companies won't do it... so yes i support this =D teach those idiots a lesson

the lesson is; there is always a downside to more rights, everything has a consequence

[Samantha36]

No. Whatever next! If I have a bad period I take pain relief and carry on. If its that bad then go to the Dr and get a sick note

[AviatorTom]

No, every company has a sick day policy. Thst should be good enough. When someone (man or woman) doesn't feel well enough to come into work, they can take a sick day.

[stepyo99]

"Sorry boss, but I'm going to be a raging bitch for the next week so I'll see you later!" One more reason women don't belong in the workplace.

[sunflower00]

I think it’s more so for the people who experience excruciating pain

[stepyo99]

@sunflower00 And? Maybe she should stay home and be a housewife if she has excruciating pain once a week, every month. Feminists don't want equality, they want special treatment.

[sunflower00]

I’m not saying I agree we should get paid time off for periods at all, but it can be horrible for some people and it’s outwith their control. They should still be allowed to follow the career path they want.

[stepyo99]

@sunflower00 Why? The argument for women in the workplace is that they can do the work just as well as any man. But then you have other people saying simultaneously that they should get an entire week off every month. That doesn't make women sound capable at all.
What was wrong with the dynamic that used to exist between men and women for thousands of years with the man being the breadwinner and the woman being the homemaker? Both filled a role that best suited their strengths.

[sunflower00]

They can do the work just as well as any man, and who here is saying women should get a week off every month? The general idea is that if people have a medical condition that makes their period unbearable they should probably be able to take a few sick days if needed. I don’t appreciate you saying that men being the breadwinner and women being a housewife best suited their strengths as if we should do that because it’s totally the opposite way round in my relationship

[stepyo99]

@sunflower00 No, women cannot do the same work as well as any man. You haven't read the OP because it's saying women should be getting paid period leave when on their period, it says nothing about using existing sick leave. So again, that makes women sound incapable of working without getting special treatment. Men don't have that luxury, and all the various tasks that need to be performed to keep society running aren't going to wait for women to get over their periods.

And that arrangement does best suit each gender's strengths. Women are much better homemakers than men and men don't have to take paid period leave to keep society functioning.

[sunflower00]

They most certainly can do the same work as well as men. The majority of women in the comments are disagreeing with the OP and are saying the thing about medical conditions which I was referencing.

I work extremely well in my job and would not be better suited at home.

[stepyo99]

@sunflower00 Women aren't as strong as men, they're more emotional than men, and they're more unreliable than men. They can't do the same work as well. If you look at the competitive world, every single physical or mind sport has a man at the absolute peak of performance. Women can manage in the workplace - barely and with lots of assistance from men - but they are much better suited for being in the home.

The majority of the women in the comments support it, including yourself. You replied to someone else saying that the women who get it severely should get the extra period leave beyond just normal sick leave. Again, another reason that just goes to show how incapable women are of doing the same work as men. You strike me as just like any other feminist who wants special treatment for women and not equality.

[sunflower00]

You’re obviously a troll.

A man I work with is a complete wet wipe and is not mentally strong enough to do what needs to be done so I need to take control. The other man I work with is so emotionally unstable that he gets overly angry at nothing and then proceeds to fall out with everyone and not do his own work where again I need to pick up the pieces. He also shows up late to work every day and is extremely unreliable. The men in the other department look lost all the time and can’t even find a key when it’s staring them in the face.

The women on reception have the whole place running smoothly, they deal with the horrible customers when no one else will, they are very mentally strong. They are always on time, reliable, never call in sick. And in my department although I get abuse from my manager (male) daily like everyone else here I am the most focused with the most job roles.

I need no assistance from the men at work, I help them. The women on reception need no assistance from men. My female manager needs no assistance from men.

I find it interesting that women are apparently too emotional to work while men quite often have problems with regulating emotions especially anger and have ego problems that prevent them from being reasonable and rational in the workplace 🤷🏼‍♀️

[stepyo99]

@sunflower00 lol if you're really that competent while everyone around you is incompetent, why do you still work at such a shitty job? No wonder you're such a bitter and resentful feminist if that's the environment you're in everyday instead of something better tailored for a woman, like housekeeping and raising children. But I 100% expect you'll write off my helpful advice as trolling again.

[SadyConfused1998]

No, that's stupid

Our mothers and grandmother's had to suck it up.

Let's show them men were not a bunch of Sissy's and out work them fuckers

[Anonymous]

No not at all. That’s what sick leave is for. Never heard so many things in my life till I started working in medical. Same w needing a “mental health” day. What’s next needing paid leave for migraines?

[BarryLiverstone]

Well of course. Most people get sick and vacation days depending on the job. Wouldn’t expect someone to work everyday of the year. Also paid for holidays not worked if salaried.

[annabananna]

Maybe for some women. If you have endometriosis or PCOS the pain can be very severe. I could see some women abuse that though. I have PCOS and it’s not bad now but when I was younger the pain was so severe I couldn’t function.

[Unit1]

Only if the overall salary is lowered to the appropriate amount of unserved labor time.

[Blackcupcake]

for women who struggle with difficult periods and have a doctors note on it, definitely yes.

[MrCommodore]

No, I think if we men can struggle on with Man Flu a few times per year, women should easily deal with periods.

[YesterdaysChild]

Isn't a pregnancy qualified for paid leave already? What other condition do you think should qualify for paid leave?

[Simslover92]

For the majority of women with regular periods, no. But for those where it's really debilitating yes.

[Dinklex3]

If you already have the leave or sick days and want to use it for that then that’s your choice.

Anything more than that, not really.

[Lionman95]

Yes or at least have her work part-time. It´s part of biology and something she´s not doing because she likes it.

[Twalli]

They should be paid for what they do. I don't choose to have chronic fatigue. I do and I struggle through it with caffeine

[Lionman95]

@Twalli Thanks for that insight but "struggle" doesn´t sound good either. I guess I get what you mean. I would add to my further statement in extreme cases if they bring to work a doctor´s certificate since I know women that can´t do a thing when they are on their periods while there are other women they don´t have strong effects normally. To be fair I also missed out the word "paid" reading it at first.
Since I don´t have nothing chronical or hormonal that effects my work and I´m more of a team-player I would have a weak spot in such cases.

[Twalli]

I say struggle because without caffeine I can't work.

[EmmaMary]

I'm hoping that @CMeow won't mind me fully reiterating everything she's already mentioned.

[sheena30]

I think a lotof people abuse this payment like some I know just takes a sick else day off to do something

[Twalli]

People use sick days when they're not sick. That's why a lot of jobs now just have PTO (paid time off) a combination of sick days, vacation, and extended holidays).

[UniquelyBasic]

I don't think I would support it but that's probably just because I don't know the pains of having a period. 😅

[Miristheiss]

No.

If they ever implemented this and I were an employer... I'd hire less women.

[Twalli]

Or only post menopausal women.

[Katie1964]

Of course, its called PTO and my company gives it to both men and women based on seniority.

[Astarlessnightsky]

If you are sick and can't work you should stay at home.

[Twalli]

Sick=/=a period

[Astarlessnightsky]

Yes but period may lead to sickness or symptoms of sickness.

[Twalli]

At which case you use the days everyone else gets.

[Astarlessnightsky]

... thats what i said, if you can't work because "feel sick" you call in sick, doesn't matter if you cut your leg of or just a cold, ... everyone has a different tolerance for pain/feeling unwell, everyone has a different kind of job, ...

[PointTaken]

I don't. I know many women that work through it. You want equality, then men would have to get paid days off each month just for woman's periods.

[Venymal]

Yes, I do. Women should be allowed an extra 2 weeks a year paid sick leave in my opinion. Of course, men do not suffer with periods, so it is unfair that we both receive the same sick leave.

[leahzrc]

lmao no just bring a tampon in your purse and some pain relief

[echoaj]

I would but only one day per month. My girlfriend has very painful periods and I feel bad for her.

[KostasKouvalis]

You mean like when they're bleeding out of their snatch? Hell no! Just clean yourself off and get back to work

[najekim]

Unfortunately, extra paid leave would be unfair to men. However, you & your doctor may be able to set some FMLA time to cover any unpaid time off.

[ronaldo75]

No. Feminism literally said that a woman's period doesn't affect her ability to work. Now you have to be paid money to stay at home when you get your period? That's a contradiction.

[sunflower00]

Periods are different for everyone. I can easily work during mine, but some people have medical conditions which can make the pain unbearable and have them throwing up and bleeding excessively. I think women should not get paid period leave, unless they have a medical condition which causes them to be really bad as this is outwith their control and if they are entitled to that I believe it should be a few days per month not a week +

[ronaldo75]

@sunflower00 Some companies in Brazil tried this and it resulted in a wave of women lying and saying their pains and symptoms made it to difficult to work. American women are just as dishonest. It wouldn't work,. What I do support is women being able to take unpaid time off once a month for 3 or 4 days.

[sunflower00]

Yeah me too. Some people would abuse it if it was given to everyone, I would imagine it would work best if you needed a note from a doctor and were able to take a couple days

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Yes, I support for paid period leave for working Ladies.

[msc545]

Only if men get equal leave. Your period does not make you special.

[kellytheman]

Yeah women should get paid if they need time off like if they are pregnant or some serious life crisis.

[Anonymous]

No, but maybe some kind of conditional/temporary form of leave for people with chronic symptoms or illnesses.

[Rangers]

Sure, as long as I get paid leave for when my su! cidal tendencies flare up as well

[RHK36]

Unless you have a serious medical condition that is exacerbated by period pain symptoms, then no.

[Rizwan_khan]

No I never support paid period leaves. Maternity leaves are good enough to paid leaves.

[soe11]

I support to get paid at least half of the salary.