At the town hall of Saint-Ouen, women who suffer from endometriosis or painful periods will be able to take two days of menstrual leave from March 27.
- Saint-Ouen town hall staff can take two days’ menstrual leave.
- If women prefer, they can opt for teleworking or adjusting their schedule.
- An initiative little developed in France, but which already exists in other countries such as Spain.
This is a first in France. In Saint-Ouen, Mayor Karim Bouamrane has decided to grant two days’ menstrual leave to town hall staff. From March 27, women who suffer from endometriosis or painful periods will therefore be able to present a medical certificate to benefit from it.
Menstrual leave, telecommuting or schedule adjustment
“Of the 2,000 people who work for the city, 60% are women, explained Karim Bouamrane in a press release. It was while discussing with them that I realized that half suffered in silence. A subject put aside if not taboo. It was necessary to make strong decisions to relieve them.”
If they suffer from their period, women will not be required to take two days off. The mayor also gives them the possibility of telecommuting or adjusting their schedule, without any waiting days being deducted from them.
In France, 10% of women have endometriosis, according to the Ministry of Health. It is a gynecological disease related to the presence of tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus.
Endometriosis, recognized as a long-term condition since January
Patients with endometriosis usually have severe pain and may have difficulty – or even the inability – to become pregnant. Since January 2022, this pathology has been recognized as a long term condition.
According to a Ifop survey published in September 2022two-thirds of employees are in favor of setting up menstrual leave, because even if women do not have endometriosis, they may have painful periods.
Some French companies have introduced menstrual leave. This is the case of Critizr, a company specializing in the management of customer interactions. “It is my duty to find solutions to support the suffering of employees, explained Xavier Molinie, the director of human resources in a interview. Women’s painful menstruation should not hold back their careers.“
Abroad, several countries have already implemented this leave, such as Italy, Japan and, more recently last January, Spain.
