Since January 1, 2021, the employees of the company La Collective are the first in France to be able to take one day off per month in the event of painful periods. This request does not require a medical certificate. The day of absence is not considered as a work stoppage, unlike a sick leave.

Read also: Painful periods: Italy could allow menstrual leave

A breakthrough for women?

Our colleagues from the daily Le Parisien report that the co-manager of the company considers this measure as “a social advance which echoes the rights of women in society”.

In a questionnaire sent to company employees, 88.9% of them replied that their painful periods had a negative impact on their work. And according to an Ifop welding, 68% of French women say they are in favor of instituting a menstrual leave of one or two days per month.

But according to certain feminist groups, such as Dare feminism questioned by Le Parisien or Kiffe ton cycle questioned by Ouest-France, generalizing this measure would not give good results. For these groups, this could exacerbate inequalities in the workplace, in particular pay differentials and discrimination in hiring.

In countries where menstrual discharge exists, the trials have not been very successful. In Japan, for example, where this right has been in place since 1947, less than 1% of those concerned resort to it for fear of being frowned upon by their employer.

Since the implementation of these holidays within the Montpellier company, nine days have been taken by the employees.