Pain, chronic fatigue, endometriosis can affect professional life. It is estimated that one woman in ten suffers from this chronic, inflammatory gynecological disease, which can manifest itself in heavy periods and violent pain. A less and less taboo subject in companies that sometimes offer to adapt schedules, open bathrooms or promote teleworking when possible.
Carrefour goes further by offering 12 additional days of leave with a medical certificate. A measure that is part of a broad plan in favor of inclusion and equal pay. The distributor will also grant 3 days to women who have had a spontaneous abortion and one day of absence to those who resort to the WFP.
A strong commitment from management to help women manage their professional life without obstacles. It is in any case the first major group to take the step in France and could be emulated. So far, only a few communities or SMEs such as the furniture manufacturer Louis Design offer menstrual leave.
A public health problem
“Since endometriosis was declared a public health problem by the government in January 2022, there has been a real awareness of human resources services”, explains the president of the EndoFrance association. Yasmine Candau has already intervened for awareness operations at Promod, Lacoste, Kiko Milano, Decathlon, SNCF, Air France, CFDT Cadres, Carrefour, Clarins, Allianz, for example.
A device that will be generalized for the environmental deputies who will present, on May 26 together with the National Assembly, a bill to establish the menstrual leave in France. This is already the case in other countries. It was adopted by our Spanish neighbors on February 16, the first in Europe, as well as by countries like Japan and South Korea. The principle: to be able to take time off work in case of painful periods without loss of salary.
A risk of discrimination in hiring?
A provision that is not obvious to employers’ organizations. The Medef is not convinced and explains that such a measure “would give the image that women cannot occupy the same positions as men”. At CPME, same story. The additional license for some could lead to “disruption” within small businesses. In addition, says its vice president at AFP, Stéphanie Pauzat, “not all women experience this menstrual period in the same way, those who need it can be stopped” by a doctor. Feminist associations are also concerned about a possible reaction. The creation of menstrual leaves could result in employment discrimination against women. However, Carrefour, which employs 40,000 women in France, ensures that this leave granted to some is unlikely to disrupt the schedule.
Source: BFM TV
