Petition

Introduce legally protected menstrual leave for women with debilitating periods.

Rejected 12 signatures

What the petition asks

We call on the UK Government to introduce legally protected menstrual leave for women with debilitating symptoms, ensuring they do not have to work through severe pain and that their health is recognized in employment law.
Menstruation is not a minor inconvenience. Many women experience severe pain, fatigue, nausea, and other symptoms that significantly impair daily functioning. Yet women are expected to work through these symptoms without recognition or protection.
Current employment law does not acknowledge menstrual health, leaving women to choose between their health and their job. Legally protected menstrual leave would ensure women can manage their health safely while maintaining their dignity and productivity.
Periods are not optional, and neither should workplace protections be — women’s health matters, and it’s time the law reflected that.

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 the following petition, which calls for similar action:

Require employers have monthly menstrual 1-3 day leave policy
Require employers have monthly menstrual 1-3 day leave policy

Timeline

28 Jan 2026 Petition opened for signatures
24 Feb 2026 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 12
Status Rejected
Rejected 24 Feb 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 20 Aug 2026.