Menstruation Policy

[Writing as someone who *doesn't* menstruate...]

Beware of a tendency to create a policy in order to be seen to be doing something!

The starting place must be "what is wrong with our current policies on the management of sickness and absence that isn't accommodating the needs of menstruating members of staff?"

If you can answer that question, then the first place to address it is in the existing policies. The next step is then to ask whether a policy is actually the solution to anything that hasn't, now, been addressed.

And I'd apply exactly the same points to menopause policies.

Remember: a policy is more-of-less immutable statement of intent by the directors of an organization. Whilst policy statements are often supported by procedural explanations, the procedure is not the policy and the policy is not the procedure. Procedures are easy to change as long as they abide by the terms of the policy. Polices much less so.

If a member of staff were struggling with some aspect of how menstruation was affecting their work or health, where would they turn to first? I doubt the answer is "the policy manual".

[Writing as someone who *doesn't* menstruate...]

Beware of a tendency to create a policy in order to be seen to be doing something!

The starting place must be "what is wrong with our current policies on the management of sickness and absence that isn't accommodating the needs of menstruating members of staff?"

If you can answer that question, then the first place to address it is in the existing policies. The next step is then to ask whether a policy is actually the solution to anything that hasn't, now, been addressed.

And I'd apply exactly the same points to menopause policies.

Remember: a policy is more-of-less immutable statement of intent by the directors of an organization. Whilst policy statements are often supported by procedural explanations, the procedure is not the policy and the policy is not the procedure. Procedures are easy to change as long as they abide by the terms of the policy. Polices much less so.

If a member of staff were struggling with some aspect of how menstruation was affecting their work or health, where would they turn to first? I doubt the answer is "the policy manual".