More than half of British women say they would quit their jobs tomorrow to work for a company that allows them to work from home while on their period.
While 84 percent of women said they continue to work despite feeling unwell during their period, 70 percent had workplaces that offered no support for menstrual or hormonal health, according to a new study.
Of the 2,100 women surveyed, 86 percent said they had less energy and concentration because of their menstrual cycle.
More than half said their mental wellbeing and stress levels were affected during their period, while just under half reported their productivity also decreased.
While menstrual cycle symptoms vary widely, many women experience physical symptoms such as abdominal cramps, back pain, nausea, fatigue, bloating, and headaches during their period.
More than half said their mental wellbeing and stress levels were affected during their period.
They may also experience mental side effects throughout their menstrual cycle, including mood swings, anger, and anxiety.
These are usually due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual tension (PMT) and occur before your period starts.
For women with menstrual conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), these symptoms can be debilitating, causing some to miss work or school.
The new survey, conducted by healthy eating platform Lifesum, found that 52 percent of women would leave their workplace for a job that provided better support for menstrual health at work.
And 72 percent said they would like to see workplaces institute more flexible work arrangements.
“This new data highlights why workplaces must address the unique health needs of their employees,” said Wesleigh Roeca, director of workplace wellness at Lifesum.
‘To create a more inclusive and supportive work environment, we encourage organizations to adopt a policy that offers flexible work schedules, additional healthcare coverage, paid leave for conditions such as menopause and endometriosis, and support for pregnancy and fertility issues.’