Menstruation and menopause workplace standards launch in the UK

Having your period at work can suck, not least because your workplace may not be accommodating. Hopefully, however, the tides are changing: The British Standards Institute (BSI) just launched its guide for menstruation, menstrual health, and menopause in the workplace.

BSI, the UK National Standards Body, developed the new menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace standard (BS 30416) along with experts and the public. Not only does the guide identify myths about periods, perimenopause (the transition into menopause), and menopause, but it also recommends workplace adjustments and strategies to help employees and employers.

BSI aimed to be inclusive with this guide, and worked with groups like the LGBT Foundation and Endometriosis UK. It also follows gender equality charity Fawcett Society's research stating that around 10 percent of women experiencing menopause have left the workplace due to their symptoms; that figure jumps to 25 percent for people with severe symptoms. BSI also cited consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, which estimated that global productivity losses from menopause amount to more than $150 billion a year.

Some considerations BSI laid out in the press release include determining whether there's a general awareness of menstruation and menopause in the workplace already; reviewing whether managers are adequately trained in these topics; and reviewing whether the workplace environment includes adequate spaces for those dealing with menstruation and menopause.

"I am proud BSI is publishing this landmark guidance on Menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace, to help employers retain talented people whatever stage of life they are in," said BSI's director of sectors, Anne Hayes, in the press release. "Organizations which prioritize their people by building an inclusive workplace will be best placed to continue to thrive in the future."

Menopause employment champion for the UK Government, Helen Tomlinson, concurred, saying this free resource will go a long way to assure everyone feels supported.

"I firmly believe this transition [menopause] isn't a time to step back, step down or step out," Tomlinson continued. "If we get this right for 50 per cent of the population that we need in the workplace from an economic and experience perspective it has the potential to make the final 10,15 or 20 years of a woman's career the most productive, exciting and meaningful."

BSI's menstruation and menopause workplace standard is available to download for free.