Menstruation Leave

• February 11, 2005

Part of my daily reading is the Neil Bortz Newz site… I ran across this gem today:

The latest from the wonderful world of unions? Menstrual leave. That’s right … time off for your period. The Manufacturing Workers Union is asking for menstrual leave — 12 extra days off a year with pay — for menstrual pain. The union says that women shouldn’t be disadvantaged against men that don’t have periods. OK … so this is happening in Australia. How long before this nifty idea gets here? Oh .. and don’t forget. Once women get their menstrual leave in the U.S. it will still be illegal to discriminate against them in hiring. You’ll just have to hire them knowing that you’ll have to pay them for 12 extra days a year that they’re not working.

I followed his link to Union calls grow for menstrual leave where I found:

THE union that pioneered extra time off work for women suffering painful periods yesterday argued it was time menstrual leave became common in Australian workplaces.

After googleing (I probably should use that word here) for a little while, I found out that MANY Asian cultures have adopted this type of compensation.

Civilian Personnel Management Division
Sick Leave for Menstrual Reasons
An employee who suffers heavily from menstruation, thereby experiencing difficulty in performing her normally assigned duties, will be authorized 1 day of sick leave for menstrual reasons per month without a physician’s certificate. If, however, there is reason to doubt the employee’s difficulties in performing her normal assigned duties, such leave may be disapproved.

I have to admit that I don’t know where I stand on this. I do not have the monthly problem, but as someone who has worked for small businesses and big businesses, I wonder what employers in the US will do if we enact similar laws. Businesses depend upon their workforce to do work. Added vacation days just end up costing the business money, which comes from the employees’ salaries. Most people are employed by small businesses (80% or so). Can these businesses survive if women are Government Mandated an extra 12 days off during the year?

Tags: General

http://whatsbruin.net/ JoeBruin88

I think men need a comparable reaons for having “mandated 12 extra days off”. Any suggestions?
http://sayanythingblog.com/ likwidshoe

I think men need a comparable reaons for having “”mandated 12 extra days off”. Any suggestions?

Yeah. Putting up with the menstruating women and the headaches they give us.
Joshua

My girlfriend takes Midol which controls the cramps and pains that come with the menstruation process and she says that it does the job pretty well. If this goes through then what is next? Some people get intense migraines several times a year if not several times per month. Should we allow them paid days off as well for their uncontrollable condition? I say no. Take a Midol, take an extra-strength Advil and get back to work. If you can’t then go home WITHOUT PAY.
Seth Yantiss

Yeah. Putting up with the menstruating women and the headaches they give us.

BINGO!!!!

I have two in my house now… Every two weeks I have someone flying off the handle at something!
http://txfx.net/ Mark J

I think the effect of enacting this in the U.S. is that the gender employment and wage gap will increase. Women can either just accept the fact that they are less able to work because of uncontrollable biological facts and quit complaining about wage gaps, or they can work for better wages and just grit their teeth and get through those 4 days each month.
Joshua

Well put Robin. I too have no problem as long as it comes from the allotted paid vacation days and is not paid time that is not counted against vacation time. Seems reasonable.
http://sayanythingblog.com/ likwidshoe

There’s nothing even remotely misogynist about what you said Robin.
http://jphilip.typepad.com/ Phil Faranda

“Recognizing that we all have different maladies, I think its ridiculous to expect that women should get additional time off for their periods lest it open the door for everyone including those who are merely suffering from headaches, etc. “-Rob

That is a very reasonable approach. This is the reason people have personal days as part of their agreement. The example in Korea my wife experienced was somewhat unique in comparison to here, for many reasons but not the least of which are 60 hour work weeks, no sick days, and 4 crummy vacation days days a year. Europe it ain’t.
Seth Yantiss

My wife had this to say:

Some women do have valid problems, but they should be seeking treatment. I feel only a small % of the female population can really use this as a valid excuse for a day. I know I have had days when I just want to be in bed (it’s rare but I have had them).

She doesn’t think she deserves any “special” treatment for it…

Another question on this: What about the women who have their period without ANY side effects at all… Won’t they be discriminated against by NOT getting menstrual days?
http://www.onestackmind.com/mt/ Robin S.

Well, I’m about to be declared a misogynist for saying this, I’m sure, but I have no problem with this… assuming women give up the equivalent of 12 days worth of pay per year.

I’m one of the people Joshua mentions who gets semi-regular migraines. When they hit, I’m out of work for at least one day, usually two, and on rare occasions, more than that. I don’t ask for extra time off — I use the leave time that is already provided. Since “sick leave” and “vacation” come from the same “pool” of time, that means that I have to sacrifice some vacation. I don’t like it, of course, but I don’t blame my employer, or expect them to be accomodate this. I get paid to work a certain number of days per year. If I need more time off, I can get it, but I don’t get paid. That seems fair to me.
http://jphilip.typepad.com/ Phil Faranda

My wife worked in South Korea for 2 years in 1996 and 1997. She was suprised at the menstrual leave because it would never pass PC muster here. As sexist as it may seem by feminist standards, it is a very pragmatic. Her view: “enlightened approach.” She loved the idea, although she seldom took advantage it. She also reminded me that in Korea, you only got 4 days of vacation a year. After we saw “Magnolia,” she likened the practice the this phrase: RESPECT THE UTERUS.
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

I’ll not claim to be any sort of an expert on the subject, but growing up with four sisters (and my experience with a few girlfriends) has taught me that there is no “norm” when it comes to a woman’s cycle. For some, its rough. For others, its fine. It just depends on the person.

Now remember that people, as a whole, tend to have different health hurdles they have to deal with. Some of us are prone to migraines. Some of us have asthma. These are, as far as I’m concerned, equivalent to women who have a bit of additional pain and suffering during that time of the month.

Recognizing that we all have different maladies, I think its ridiculous to expect that women should get additional time off for their periods lest it open the door for everyone including those who are merely suffering from headaches, etc.

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