PCS calls for menstrual leave and free period products

Motion A34 instructed the NEC to campaign for all employers to provide free period products to all people who need them and negotiate with employers to introduce paid menstrual leave policies, ensuring they are separate from general sickness absence. PCS must challenge any workplace absence policies that unfairly penalise workers for menstruation-related absences.

Victor from National Galleries Scotland moved the motion and said: “This motion builds on the very hard work that our health and safety rep and other reps at the National Galleries have done locally. I think it's a very important issue, especially in terms of provision of period products in workplaces. And the situation in Scotland is a lot better than the rest of the UK. Severe conditions can take ages to be diagnosed. So, it's very important that there is paid menstruation leave.”

Jennifer from DWP Tyneside and Northumbria branch spoke in support of motion A34. She said: “I've got a rare condition called Turner syndrome and one of the effects of that is essentially I'm going through menopause and I'm only 32. People that do menstruate absolutely deserve to have free period products in the workplace. And also they deserve to have that leave as well when they're going through these things.”

The motion stated that access to free period products is a workplace dignity issue. Menstrual symptoms like severe pain and fatigue can severely impact workers. Trade unions have a role in pushing for period dignity policies in the workplace and there should be free period products as a matter of workplace equality. While workers who experience severe menstrual symptoms should have the right to paid menstrual leave, without it affecting attendance records or triggering absence management procedures.

PCS President Martin Cavanagh noted the NEC’s support of the motion before it was unanimously carried.

Read more updates from conference on our dedicated web page. Follow #PCSADC