TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Women Seeking Time Off Work for Menstrual Cycles

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

There was several times in my life that leaving the house while menstruating was impossible.

Yes. I could get behind this to a degree.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

"Coexist is far from the first company to give women time off during their periods. Japan has had such a policy since 1947, but the benefit requires a doctor’s note to implement. Other Asian countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Indonesia have similar policies."

And in those countries, women are hardly seen as equals in the workplace.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Good grief!

Find a doctor. Get treatment, if it's that bad.

Quit whining.

And, stop looking for ways for women to be looked at, as the weaker sex.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Good grief!
Find a doctor. Get treatment, if it's that bad.
Quit whining.
And, stop looking for ways for women to be looked at, as the weaker sex.

Well the primary way to treat that is with birth control pills...which some people have a hard time getting their employer to pay for. And the pill itself can be expensive, as we have discussed here before.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Most people have sick days. Take a sick day. You don't need a special Menstrual day. Geez.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Mellow Momma wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Good grief!
Find a doctor. Get treatment, if it's that bad.
Quit whining.
And, stop looking for ways for women to be looked at, as the weaker sex.
Well the primary way to treat that is with birth control pills...which some people have a hard time getting their employer to pay for. And the pill itself can be expensive, as we have discussed here before.

Um, no. Take some Advil. Get more exercise.

Birth control pills? Really? The primary way to treat cramps?

BULL****!

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Not regular cramps. The debilitating type of cramps that cause you to double over in pain. Yes, BC is the primary way to treat that type of cramps.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Cramps that cause nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. Cramps that cause you to pass out. Bleeding to the point of anemia.

Yeah, Advil ain't gonna do a lot of good.

And BC isn't the answer for everyone.

Those with clotting problems can't take them.

Have a hysterectomy? Good luck finding one that will do one on a healthy woman of child bearing age.

WYSIWYG · Guru

Give everyone 12 "personal days" a year. Both men and women. To take off as they choose for whatever reason they choose. Problem solved.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I never worked a job that had sick days let alone any other day.

But if a private business wants to have this option, then why does it matter to anyone else?

Some businesses have flexible schedules and some have day care and others have cars.

It seems like a company benefit should be up to the company.

karl271 · Guru

WYSIWYG wrote:
Give everyone 12 "personal days" a year. Both men and women. To take off as they choose for whatever reason they choose. Problem solved.

This would seem like a good answer to the problem - or give more sick days to everyone.

Japan has had this Menstrual Cycle in place for sometime, as the article points out. When women's rights, feminism, etc. started back in the 70's the question was raised of how this could be acceptable if everyone was supposed to be equal. Never was answered, as far as I know. And, strangely enough, at the company I worked for every woman, regardless of age, took the one day a month off. Even those who admitted they were finished with the Cycle...

I am not a woman and have no idea what this monthly ordeal is or why some seem to have no problems and others have lots of pain, etc.

Renegade Time Lord · Member

WYSIWYG wrote:
Give everyone 12 "personal days" a year. Both men and women. To take off as they choose for whatever reason they choose. Problem solved.

At my place of employment, we accumulate a certain amount of hours with every pay period called YPT (Your Personal Time). We can use them as we choose, for sick leave, vacations, doctor appointments, mental health days, etc. And when we request time off, we do not have to provide a reason why (although some people do). I recently took a day off when I had some cardiac monitoring and testing done. Nobody inquired as to why.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

lilyofcourse wrote:
I never worked a job that had sick days let alone any other day.

But if a private business wants to have this option, then why does it matter to anyone else?

Some businesses have flexible schedules and some have day care and others have cars.

It seems like a company benefit should be up to the company.

I've never heard of a company that did not have sick and/or vacation time...unless you're an hourly worker.

flan

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Mellow Momma wrote:
Not regular cramps. The debilitating type of cramps that cause you to double over in pain. Yes, BC is the primary way to treat that type of cramps.

BC is prescribed for several maladies, including menstrual cramps. If the reason for the prescription is other than BC than it is not BC and insurance would cover it.

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

Some women do get really bad cramps, etc every month. If it's so bad that someone has to miss work then they probably need surgery or medication.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Mellow Momma wrote:
Not regular cramps. The debilitating type of cramps that cause you to double over in pain. Yes, BC is the primary way to treat that type of cramps.

Yes, I will testify to that. But having insurance is now the law, and unless you work for a Catholic company - your BC is covered, even by Hobby Lobby.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Cramps that cause nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. Cramps that cause you to pass out. Bleeding to the point of anemia.

Yeah, Advil ain't gonna do a lot of good.

And BC isn't the answer for everyone.

Those with clotting problems can't take them.

Have a hysterectomy? Good luck finding one that will do one on a healthy woman of child bearing age.

And throw up! Don't forget throw up!

Motrin does work, though. If you start taking it immediately when the signs start, and take it continuously. Of course, that will likely cause ulcers and stomach issues over time, but who cares?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

What's wrong with taking your sick time? And, frankly, I don't think it is my employer's business if i am off sick with the flu or with menstrual cramps. Grown adults shouldn't have to explain their medical issues to employers.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

How much time would be enough? When you get your period, you could feel lousy for a couple of days. So, 3 days a month x 12 months? Sure.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
What's wrong with taking your sick time? And, frankly, I don't think it is my employer's business if i am off sick with the flu or with menstrual cramps. Grown adults shouldn't have to explain their medical issues to employers.

Unless you are a government worker, you would not really get enough sick days to cover, say....2 days a month.

I don't have sick time, I have PTO - I can take it for anything, but if I use it up being sick, I don't have any personal or vacation time left.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
What's wrong with taking your sick time? And, frankly, I don't think it is my employer's business if i am off sick with the flu or with menstrual cramps. Grown adults shouldn't have to explain their medical issues to employers.
Unless you are a government worker, you would not really get enough sick days to cover, say....2 days a month.

I don't have sick time, I have PTO - I can take it for anything, but if I use it up being sick, I don't have any personal or vacation time left.

If the issue is sick time or PTO, then make that the issue in general, don't make it about menstrual cramps. There are a lot of people with chronic medical conditions that have days they feel like crap.

FNW · Guru

My husband's company switched to PTO. It's the company's way of reducing the paid time off by eliminating sick vs. vacation time off. Sick was eliminated, and "PTO" was increased only slightly.

When I was in Jr. High and High School, I used to run out of class to throw up from cramps. Teachers knew and left me alone. I usually just gathered my things and headed for the office to check out. It was horrible. I went on the pill at age 18 and never experienced those horrible cramps again. Until I went off it in my 40's while trying to get prego. Not as bad as when I was a teen, but not good either.

I think companies need to include more sick time or PTO, if applicable. No reasons need be given for taking a sick day. Heck, most of my sick days are taken either for my children's illness/dr.'s appts., or my own mental health.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yes, i think PTO is much more logical. Can you bank some PTO time as well? With sick leave, you can usually bank it then if you have an extended illness that is very helpful. We all need to recognize that we are all human beings. Humans get sick from time to time. Life will actually go on if someone takes a sick day. And, we need to stop encouraging people to come in to work sick and hacking all over everyone else. However, there has to be a limit and some deterrent as well because if you give some people an inch, they take a mile.

FNW · Guru

No banking PTO beyond a certain point, and the limit is pretty low.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

FNW wrote:
No banking PTO beyond a certain point, and the limit is pretty low.

Hmm...then I see that as a potential problem versus traditional sick time. There are times someone has a hip replacement or surgery and needs extensive rehab, etc. And, the banked sick time is a great value. So, then do those people wind up losing their jobs if they run out of time, including the FMLA?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

flan327 wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
I never worked a job that had sick days let alone any other day.

But if a private business wants to have this option, then why does it matter to anyone else?

Some businesses have flexible schedules and some have day care and others have cars.

It seems like a company benefit should be up to the company.
I've never heard of a company that did not have sick and/or vacation time...unless you're an hourly worker.
flan

Yep. I worked manual labor jobs from 16 til I physically could not.

It was never glamorous but it paid the bills, and when I left at the end of the day, I was done.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

There are lots of jobs that don't involve manual labor and that aren't physically strenuous.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
FNW wrote:
No banking PTO beyond a certain point, and the limit is pretty low.
Hmm...then I see that as a potential problem versus traditional sick time. There are times someone has a hip replacement or surgery and needs extensive rehab, etc. And, the banked sick time is a great value. So, then do those people wind up losing their jobs if they run out of time, including the FMLA?

Different companies have different procedures. We can borrow two days from the next year for any reason whatsoever - after that, we go into unpaid leave. Some companies allow you to donate days to co-workers, but I'm not a big fan of that - it can lead to unfair pressure. And with companies with limited PTO banks, it's not really feasible.

Our PTO bank tops out at 30 days - no one can have more than 30 days in any one year. So, how many days you can roll over depends on how many you have to start with - people with 15 days can roll all 15, 21 days can roll 9, people with 25 days can roll 5.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
There are lots of jobs that don't involve manual labor and that aren't physically strenuous.

And lots that are.

This isn't about that really. Just saying that not every person is working under the same conditions. Or with the option of sick days.

I still think private business should be able to set its own benefits.

Don't like the benefits where you work? Go somewhere else.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Not sue why people think they have to feel 100% to go to work nowadays. I have gone to work many many times where i just don't feel terrific. The other day, DD had a head cold and was miserable. I told her, what is the difference if you sit at home and feel miserable or if you go sit at school and feel miserable. Take some cold medicine and get going. It was a lesson to her that you continue your responsibilities even when you dont' feel so hot. Yes, if you are vomiting, have a fever, diarrhea or something like that, then you stay home as that is most likely contagious and you need quick bathroom access. But most things, you just power through.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Not sue why people think they have to feel 100% to go to work nowadays. I have gone to work many many times where i just don't feel terrific. The other day, DD had a head cold and was miserable. I told her, what is the difference if you sit at home and feel miserable or if you go sit at school and feel miserable. Take some cold medicine and get going. It was a lesson to her that you continue your responsibilities even when you dont' feel so hot. Yes, if you are vomiting, have a fever, diarrhea or something like that, then you stay home as that is most likely contagious and you need quick bathroom access. But most things, you just power through.

Ummm, colds are contagious. I guess if you don't care about infecting others, that's perfectly fine.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Not sue why people think they have to feel 100% to go to work nowadays. I have gone to work many many times where i just don't feel terrific. The other day, DD had a head cold and was miserable. I told her, what is the difference if you sit at home and feel miserable or if you go sit at school and feel miserable. Take some cold medicine and get going. It was a lesson to her that you continue your responsibilities even when you dont' feel so hot. Yes, if you are vomiting, have a fever, diarrhea or something like that, then you stay home as that is most likely contagious and you need quick bathroom access. But most things, you just power through.
Ummm, colds are contagious. I guess if you don't care about infecting others, that's perfectly fine.

Sinus congestion is not contagious. If everyone stayed home for the sniffles or allergies, nobody would ever to go to work.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Mild cold symptoms are not a reason to stay home from school. If you have a runny nose and no fever, there is no reason to not go to school. Or, i guess you know better than doctors.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Mild cold symptoms are not a reason to stay home from school. If you have a runny nose and no fever, there is no reason to not go to school. Or, i guess you know better than doctors.

You didn't say mild cold symptoms. You said she was miserable.

FNW · Guru

I was raised in the "be miserable at work/school rather than home" camp. I'm a little more relaxed on that policy, but I do keep them home when I feel it might progress to their chests, which often happens if I make them overdo it.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

If a child is miserable, they aren't learning. Being in school is only distracting others around them - when they sneeze, sniffle, blow their nose, cough etc. It isn't about the ability to "power through", it's about thinking of others.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Studies show that by "powering through" the sickness, you actually lengthen it an average of 3 days. SLEEP is usually the best medicine for beating a cold.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Not sue why people think they have to feel 100% to go to work nowadays. I have gone to work many many times where i just don't feel terrific. The other day, DD had a head cold and was miserable. I told her, what is the difference if you sit at home and feel miserable or if you go sit at school and feel miserable. Take some cold medicine and get going. It was a lesson to her that you continue your responsibilities even when you dont' feel so hot. Yes, if you are vomiting, have a fever, diarrhea or something like that, then you stay home as that is most likely contagious and you need quick bathroom access. But most things, you just power through.
Ummm, colds are contagious. I guess if you don't care about infecting others, that's perfectly fine.
Sinus congestion is not contagious. If everyone stayed home for the sniffles or allergies, nobody would ever to go to work.

Allergies are different than a cold, but you usually know when it is allergy season, and can tell the difference.

apple · Guru

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Good grief!
Find a doctor. Get treatment, if it's that bad.
Quit whining.
And, stop looking for ways for women to be looked at, as the weaker sex.

THIS times infinity!

Ohfour · Hooker

I was tired of the horrible periods, so I took care of that. Best decision I ever made.

We get 10 sick days a year. I like that...

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

Usually women who work closely together have their cycles synch up. So everyone would be out with cramps on the same few days. If it is an all women office they would have to shut down.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Mild cold symptoms are not a reason to stay home from school. If you have a runny nose and no fever, there is no reason to not go to school. Or, i guess you know better than doctors.
You didn't say mild cold symptoms. You said she was miserable.

When you lay supine all night, you are miserable when you wake up. Being upright and moving makes you feel much better.

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

I wouldn't want my employer to know every time I had my period.

Ohfour · Hooker

Southern_Belle wrote:
I wouldn't want my employer to know every time I had my period.

I didn't have to tell mine. He knew. Immediately...

FNW · Guru

My boss knew when I was going through menopause. He came in and my office was comfortable, rather than the usual sauna he was used to. He started to comment, then the light bulb went off in his brain, and he said "awwwww...okay. I remember this..."

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

LOL all 4 of us are hotflashing here. Manila folders make great fans.

apple · Guru

Ohfour wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
I wouldn't want my employer to know every time I had my period.
I didn't have to tell mine. He knew. Immediately...

Really? I find that incredulous.

Personally I have found that, in the professional world, women need to keep that sort of emotional display to themselves. Do you act completely deranged, if so...you are not doing any of us a favour by promoting the stereotype of hysterical females in the work place.

Ohfour · Hooker

apple wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
I wouldn't want my employer to know every time I had my period.
I didn't have to tell mine. He knew. Immediately...
Really? I find that incredulous.
Personally I have found that, in the professional world, women need to keep that sort of emotional display to themselves. Do you act completely deranged, if so...you are not doing any of us a favour by promoting the stereotype of hysterical females in the work place.

I really don't care. I have no intention of not being me to fit some feminist agenda. And I am one of the top in my field. They can get over it.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

How does anyone "know" you are on your period?

flan

TOTALLY GEEKED!

New Trend: Women Seeking Time Off Work for Menstrual Cycles

Some activist women are pushing a new workplace initiative called the “period policy,” an employee benefit that would give women time off for their menstrual cycles.