[Spain] Low uptake for menstrual leave one year on

In 2023, legislation came into effect in Spain to allow employees with painful periods three to five days of paid leave each month, People Management reports.

The law was welcomed as progress for female workers but one year on, uptake appears to be low. Reporting from The Guardian - based on data from Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration - showed that menstrual leave had been taken 1,559 times since the law came into force.

The Guardian revealed that, from June 1, 2023, to April 24, 2024, an average of 4.75 people took menstrual leave each day. The average time taken was reportedly 3.03 days. 

Speaking to The Guardian, the ministry said the data showed that there “has not been an avalanche” of the type of leave being taken and that “its use has stabilised month by month since its implementation”. 

Geraldine Gallacher - CEO of the Executive Coaching Consultancy - told People Management that the data “isn’t at all surprising” since 40 per cent of women in the UK who experience high levels of period pain choose not to take time off.

“This reluctance may stem from concerns about being perceived as a liability at work,” she explained. “While it’s great to see policies that recognise the impact of chronic pain on women’s work, an excessive focus on this topic could inadvertently reinforce the view that women cannot cope.”

Speaking to People Management, Clare-Louise Knox - director and organisational psychologist at See Her Thrive - said the policy was “well intended but poorly executed, falling short of what’s truly needed”.

Ms Knox said, “Spain’s approach has fundamental flaws, such as focusing solely on menstrual pain and requiring a medical diagnosis, despite the significant challenges in obtaining one. 

“This shows a lack of understanding about living with a menstrual condition and the barriers faced beyond the workplace.”

Spain’s law applies to “women with secondary disabling menstruations”, which refers to those with medical conditions that cause painful periods, such as endometriosis. 

Source: People Management

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

In 2023, legislation came into effect in Spain to allow employees with painful periods three to five days of paid leave each month, People Management reports.

The law was welcomed as progress for female workers but one year on, uptake appears to be low. Reporting from The Guardian - based on data from Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration - showed that menstrual leave had been taken 1,559 times since the law came into force.

The Guardian revealed that, from June 1, 2023, to April 24, 2024, an average of 4.75 people took menstrual leave each day. The average time taken was reportedly 3.03 days. 

Speaking to The Guardian, the ministry said the data showed that there “has not been an avalanche” of the type of leave being taken and that “its use has stabilised month by month since its implementation”. 

Geraldine Gallacher - CEO of the Executive Coaching Consultancy - told People Management that the data “isn’t at all surprising” since 40 per cent of women in the UK who experience high levels of period pain choose not to take time off.

“This reluctance may stem from concerns about being perceived as a liability at work,” she explained. “While it’s great to see policies that recognise the impact of chronic pain on women’s work, an excessive focus on this topic could inadvertently reinforce the view that women cannot cope.”

Speaking to People Management, Clare-Louise Knox - director and organisational psychologist at See Her Thrive - said the policy was “well intended but poorly executed, falling short of what’s truly needed”.

Ms Knox said, “Spain’s approach has fundamental flaws, such as focusing solely on menstrual pain and requiring a medical diagnosis, despite the significant challenges in obtaining one. 

“This shows a lack of understanding about living with a menstrual condition and the barriers faced beyond the workplace.”

Spain’s law applies to “women with secondary disabling menstruations”, which refers to those with medical conditions that cause painful periods, such as endometriosis. 

Source: People Management

(Link and quotes via original reporting)