People who have periods or are going through menopause make up more than half of the population. Yet workplaces are not always set up to deal with the reality of what they go through, and it’s not often something that is openly talked about either!

But with some reasonable adjustments, all employees will be able to do their work to the best of their ability. With the #StopTheStigma campaign, we hope to get everyone talking as well and remove the taboo that continues to surround periods and menopause.

Fórsa’s menstrual and menopause policies campaign is about getting the best working conditions for our members, and about raising awareness in the wider community.

Check out this Resources Section for more information about what menstrual and menopause policies can include, a flyer for your workplace, a policy template, and for some handy tips as well.

We’re partnering with other trade unions, like the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Financial Services Union, SIPTU, UNITE, Irish National Teacher’s Organisation, and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, to #StoptheStigma and build an awareness campaign around menstrual and menopause policies.

This campaign includes surveys of our membership as well as the wider public on people’s experiences of periods and menopause in the workplaces. You can take our survey here! It takes just a few minutes, and it will make sure this campaign is about people’s real experiences.

We’re running awareness raising ads and media, and sending information to the 80,000+ membership of Fórsa on menstrual and menopause policies and campaigns. We’re getting the word out in every way we can.

Fórsa is also providing educational materials to workplaces and employers on what menstrual and menopausal workplace friendly policies are, and how to improve working life for more than half the population in Ireland. You can find a flyer and a blank policy template for your workplace here. 

We’re also directly advocating with your employers to bring in period and menopause friendly policies. This is through our industrial relations mechanisms, across the different sectors we represent: Education, Civil Service, Health and Welfare, Local Government and Local Services, Municipal and Services and Enterprises.

Fórsa had previously surveyed its members and found a shocking 70% of respondents had to take time off work as a direct result of their periods. In response to this, we have launched the #StopTheStigma campaign to begin conversations in workplaces about periods, menopause, and why they should no longer be taboo topics.

Other trade unions are finding the same results we did from surveying their members. Here is more of what our members had to say previously:

• 1 in 4 people had been diagnosed with a specific condition such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder and so many others. These can result in severe medical symptoms during menstruation, like heavy bleeding, crippling migraines, sudden hot flushes and extreme nausea. And these are just an extremely small number in a long list of symptoms.
• Almost 7 in 10 people were not comfortable talking about their period pains or menopausal symptoms with their manager
• Only 1% of workplaces currently have a menstrual welfare policy in place

As part of the #StoptheStigma campaign, the coalition is working to distribute the awareness materials within their memberships to educate workplaces on menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

Here are some periods and menopause workplace resources, so you and your employer can create policies and put in place supports:

• Download a free menstrual and menopausal policy template here for your organisation.
• Print and circulate this downloadable flyer to help spread awareness. You could leave it in the work kitchen or canteen, or bring it to your manager directly.

Further, here are some tips on speaking to managers and employers about the issue, using our periods and menopause workplace resources:

• Ask for a meeting about the policies, and send them the flyer and the template beforehand so they have some information to begin with
• Show them the Fórsa survey results to explain why it’s so important
• Let them know that with some reasonable adjustments, people will be less likely to need to use sick leave, will be more productive, and will know their workplace is an inclusive one that values their employee

You can also show your support for the campaign on Twitter! Take just 10 seconds to click here to tweet out a ready-made post.

As members of Fórsa, your workplace representative can talk to your employer for you. 

Visit our webpage here and find out more about the union’s work in the area.

Until we get talking about period and menopause welfare policies, nothing will change.

For more details on the survey and Fórsa's research contact Juliette Cooper at jcooper@forsa.ie

For more information on resources available and the campaign please contact Mehak Dugal at mdugal@forsa.ie

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.