Taking leave to bleed: Perceptions and attitudes toward menstrual leave policy. Issue 12 (2nd December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica L.; Hansen, Kristina; Levitt, Rachel B.; Reno, Michelle
• Is Part Of: Health care for women international. Volume 40:Issue 12(2019)
• Page Start: 1355
• Page End: 1373
• Publication Date: 2019-12-02
• Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female; Neonatology; Obstetrics; Women -- psychology; Femmes -- Santé et hygiène -- Périodiques; Femmes -- Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; 613.0424405
• DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2019.1639709
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-9332

Abstract

Abstract: Menstrual leave is offered in some countries and companies; however, there is a lack of research examining perceptions or effects of the policy. We examined the U.S. public's ( N = 600) perceptions of a potential menstrual leave policy. Participants were asked open-ended questions about potential effects of menstrual leave in the U.S. Using thematic analysis, five themes emerged: (a) Supporting women and women in the workplace. (b) What do men get? (c) Concerns about the effects on the workplace. (d) Just deal with it [menstruation]. (e) This policy would make women look bad. These findings are important for policy makers to consider.