Recently I saw an Instagram post from Somedays about creating a period-inclusive workplace and I just knew I wanted to write a post about its importance.

This Instagram post was directed toward the employer, not the employees, so I wanted to write a post on how employees can work to create a period-inclusive workplace. 

Here are my 7 ways to create a period-inclusive workplace when you have very little authority to do so. 

01. Bring your heating pad or TENS unit to work

For the longest time, I would hide the fact that I was on my period while I was at work or school. It honestly makes no sense to do this when there are some people you work with who also have a period. There is no reason to suffer because you are worried people will know you are on your period. Embrace being on your period, bring your heating pad or TENS unit to work if it makes your pain manageable. There is absolutely no reason to hide your period or your pain from the people you spend majority of your day with. When you bring your heating pad or TENS unit to work, you may inspire others to do the same. 

02. Always carry extra menstrual products with you

I find this one very important because you or one of your coworkers may start their period unannounced and need something. If your work doesn't supply menstrual products you or your coworkers may be tough out of luck if you don't have some on hand. I try to always have a variety of menstrual products with me. 

03. Donate menstrual products to your work if they do not supply them

My workplace supplies free menstrual products because it is required by the city, but that is not the case for all cities or workplaces. If your work does not supply free or cheap menstrual products, you should consider donating some. You could do this, especially if you do not want to carry extras around with you. If you donate some, I bet other people will follow suit! 

04. Advocate for paid menstrual leave 

A lot of companies offer sick days, but many menstruators do not want to use sick days for their period in case they need their sick days later on. Some companies are starting to offer paid menstrual leave for their employees. Other companies are letting employees work from home during their periods. Consider talking to your HR department or your boss about paid menstrual leave or an alternative. 

05. Integrate regular discussions about periods with your co-workers

So many people suffer from period pain and so many of those same people never talk about it. Periods are not taboo, over 50% of the world has them. It is time that we stop pretending they're some evil thing we cannot speak of in a professional setting. Try bringing up a period related topic to your co-workers and see what happens. 

06. Never push someone to talk about their menstrual cycle or their pain 

Never ever ever ever make someone talk about something if they don't want to. No one likes to be pressured to talk about something. Some people have trauma related to their periods and do not like to talk about it with people, so don't push it. 

07. Set up a meeting with your boss to talk about creating a period-inclusive workplace

If you are feeling inspired to make your workplace period-inclusive, schedule a meeting with your boss to talk about creating one. You may receive some pushback, but if other people at your work also experience periods, your boss should consider at least listening to you. Periods are normal and do not need to be kept secret. 

I hope this guide inspired you to create a period-inclusive workplace. 

I would love to hear what your work does to make your workplace more period-inclusive! 

Happy Menstruating!