Petition · past parliament · Department for Business and Trade

Create comprehensive menstrual employment rights and requirements for employers

Closed 244 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the Government to require all workplaces to offer paid menstrual leave, flexible work options, free menstrual products, education, and privacy measures to support employees during menstruation to foster inclusivity in the workplace. Recognise that needs may vary between individuals.
Menstruation affects roughly 50% of the workforce, yet many workplaces lack adequate support, negatively impacting employees’ health, productivity and quality of life.

A survey of 2,000 British women and people who menstruate found that 85% experienced stress or anxiety when managing their periods at work, of whom:

- 43% fear leakage through clothes, followed closely by painful periods (42%) and heavy bleeding (40%).

- 17% attribute the stress and anxiety to not being able to take time off to deal with any menstrual problems.

- 10% cite unsupportive management as a contributing factor to their stress

In addressing the challenges faced during menstruation, employers can enhance well-being, and promote equal opportunity and inclusion at work.

Timeline

13 Oct 2023 Petition opened for signatures
13 Apr 2024 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 244
Status Closed
Department Department for Business and Trade
Opened 13 Oct 2023
Closed 13 Apr 2024

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.