Pharmacy Daily | A must-have overlooked

LACK of washroom dignity is impacting productivity, with more than half of the women, surveyed by hygiene services provider Rentokil Initial, saying they have had to take time out of a workday to buy sanitary products.

Nearly one-in-five working Australians take a sick day because they aren't confident their workplace has the right products or disposal solutions to meet their menstrual or incontinence needs.

With governments across Australia now investing in the provision of free period products in public schools, Rentokil Initial is encouraging employers to break the taboo around menstruation and incontinence in the workplace and transform the washroom for working Australians.

"With many employers focusing on mental health in the workplace, it's shocking that so little has been done to support washroom dignity at work, yet it's impacting employees every day," shared Andrew Stone, Managing Director Pacific, Rentokil Initial.

"We want employers to create more inclusive washrooms, remove the stigma around menstruation and incontinence at work and offer free and easy access to products and waste disposal solutions."

The survey of 1,030 working Australians (self-identified as 522 females, 504 males and four non-binary) revealed that without the right washroom facilities at work, employees are staying at home.

Around 60% said they are more likely to work from home on days they need to access menstruation or incontinence products and bins.

"Not everyone has the option to work-from-home and with so many businesses looking for creative ways to encourage their employees back to the office post-pandemic, providing adequately stocked washrooms seems like a simple way to reduce unnecessary absence," Stone explained.

Gender Equity Researcher Sarah Duffy agrees that period and incontinence products should be offered as a minimum standard in the workplace.

"My research has found that product provision reduces tension and anxiety and also helps women and people who menstruate to feel seen and included," Duffy said.

"Lack of washroom dignity is not only impacting women, with 37% of Australian men saying they feel stressed or anxious about not having adequate access to washroom dignity products in the workplace."

More than half of the men surveyed also shared that they are more likely to work from home on days they need access to incontinence or disposal solutions.

Duffy asserted that the time is now for employers to make this positive change, challenge taboos and reduce the stigma around menstruation and incontinence by investing in the right products.

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