Introduce menstrual leave for women who suffer from severe period pains. · petition

What the petition asks

I want a menstrual policy to be introduced. Women should be allowed to take a day off when their period is significantly painful and the day should be paid. Period related problems such as dysmenorrhea or endometriosis should be considered disabilities are they affect day-to-day lives.

I suffer from Dysmenorrhea and it does not look good if I call in several times in the year due to period pains, that most women get. However, if it was a recognised disability, and the employer had a policy in place to recognise the severity of such a condition, it would make women like me feel comfortable in taking days off without feeling guilty. These are conditions that prevent women from being productive in the workplace due to the severity of pain.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition which calls for a similar action: Require employers to offer paid menstruation leave

The Government's guidance on disability under the Equality Act 2010 states that you’re disabled if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities:
https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010

It is therefore already the case that under the Equality Act, anyone with a physical or a mental condition which has a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to do normal day to day activities is protected under the disability protected characteristic. This could cover people who have dysmenorrhea or endometriosis, where this has a a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.

Timeline

11 Oct 2022	Petition opened for signatures
14 Oct 2022	Rejected by the Petitions Committee