Since January 1, the employees of a company based in Montpelier have the possibility of benefiting from a menstrual leave in case of painful periods. In practice, they can take one day per month without proof and without loss of salary. For now, the device is only at the experimental stage and should last a year.
Menstrual leave experienced for the first time in France
Last March, an exclusive Ifop poll for 20 Minutes and Eve and co revealed that 68% of French women said they were in favor of setting up a menstrual leave. For the first time in France, a company based in Montpellier, La Collective, ONG is experimenting with menstrual leave. In fact, since January 1, 2021, the employees of this cooperative, which specializes in recruiting donors for NGOs, can benefit from one day of rest per month in the event of painful periods.
Menstrual leave of one day per month without proof
The menstrual leave introduced in the Montpellier company does not require any proof or medical certificate. And for good reason, a simple email to the administrative director and this, even the same day, should allow those who suffer from painful periods to be absent for the day without losing the salary for their working day. In addition, menstrual leave is not considered to be a sick leave, unlike sick leave. Fully paid for by the employer, menstrual leave is paid as a classic, additional and optional leave.
An experiment that is the subject of debate
Already introduced in Japan, Indonesia and South Korea, menstrual leave in France is only at the experimental stage and should last one year. Subsequently, it will be necessary to decide on its maintenance or possible adjustments. The co-manager of La Collective, Dimitri Lamoureux, declared: “ We are confident in our ability to assume and sustain menstrual leave. And we even hope that it can eventually make a difference in the country “.
However, the subject is debated. Asked about this subject by France Info, the spokesperson for the association Osez le feminisme! Fabienne El-Khoury, declared that this menstrual leave is “ a false good idea ”because according to her,“ many women will hesitate to take this leave for fear of being stigmatized “. To which she added that before introducing such a measure, “ it is already necessary to destigmatize, that is to say that all of society does not think that it is normal to have painful periods. And secondly, indeed, it could be a good idea and not just one day, because for many women, it lasts longer. “.
