Period Positive Workplace Webinar Recap
Since the global launch in May 2023, the Period Positive Workplace (PPW) initiative has gained significant traction, with 223 businesses in 43 countries adopting menstrual-friendly practices and receiving PPW certification.
On September 25th, the PPW Coalition hosted a webinar titled ‘Period Positive Workplace: Data-Driven Results for Accelerating Gender Equality at Work’. The webinar shared findings from the June 2024 survey of employees and employers in certified PPWs. The early impact data overwhelmingly showed that providing menstrual products in the workplace promotes inclusivity, employee satisfaction, and a positive public perception of employers.
Webinar attendees learned about the benefits of prioritizing menstrual health in the workplace through the survey findings and insights shared by certified PPW businesses. To provide in-depth commentary on these topics and share personal insights from their PPW experiences, the webinar featured keynote speakers from two incredible certified PPWs: Morgan Stanley and L3 Harris Technologies. The webinar also included a panel discussion with representatives from three PPW Coalition Partners: Egal, Pads on a Roll in the U.S.; OVO Energy in the UK; and Cyntax Health Projects in Pakistan.
Insights from the Keynote Speakers
- Becoming a PPW means doing the right thing for your business – Sariah Toronto, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Stanely, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA spoke in the webinar about Morgan Stanley’s experience implementing free period products across all of their offices nationally and globally.
“We have become accustomed to seeing period products in [Morgan Stanley] bathrooms, but I can guarantee you that we don’t take it for granted,” said Sariah. “It gives our staff so much peace of mind.”
She emphasized that this relatively simple and inexpensive step has positively shifted the culture in Morgan Stanley offices and demonstrates organizational leadership’s appreciation of their staff. Sariah also noted that PPW practices align with one of Morgan Stanley’s core values, do the right thing. “We really believe that we have done the right thing by becoming a Period Positive Workplace,” stated Sariah.
- Gender equality in the workplace can be reached one step at a time – Holly Agpar, Senior Director of Business Development & Capture Excellence at L3 Harris, spoke about how being a woman in a male-dominated industry encouraged her to start the conversation about menstrual health in her workplace. She learned more about period poverty and product inaccessibility, and how it impacted employees who menstruate. Holly realized that L3 Harris could benefit from supplying products in their bathrooms, and slowly gained support for implementing PPW practices.
“I know [gender equality] wouldn’t happen overnight, so I took it one facility and one facility manager at a time,” said Holly. “I’m incredibly proud that several L3 Harris sites are now period positive.”
Holly recognized that initiating dialogue about menstrual health in the workplace can be difficult and even uncomfortable at times. However, the potential upside of raising this key issue makes it worthwhile. Thanks to Holly, L3 Harris is now on a path to becoming a global PPW. “It’s important to not shy away from these tough conversations,” she said.
Key Survey Findings
In the PPW survey, data was collected on two major groups of respondents: employers and employees at certified PPW businesses. In total, 102 employees at certified PPWs were surveyed, 62 of whom experience menstruation. Data was collected on 37 employers, 32 of whom completed the entire survey.
Of the employees surveyed,
- 73% agreed that their and/or their colleagues’ experience managing menstruation at work had improved since their employer became a PPW.
- 99% agreed that they and other employees at their organization can freely or easily access menstrual products.
Of employers surveyed,
- 75% noticed improved public perception.
- 87% noticed increased employee satisfaction.
- 91% agreed that it was easy to make period products available in or near their workplace bathrooms.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
- PPW principles make a difference in workplaces – As demonstrated by the findings of the PPW survey data, implementing period-positive practices can make a tangible difference in employees’ workplace experiences. In addition, PPW practices can holistically improve a business’s internal culture and external reputation.
- Period products are a necessity – People with periods don’t choose to have periods, remarked panelist Louise Bailey of OVO Energy. Period products are a necessity in workplace bathrooms, just like soap and toilet rolls, and their provision can be a difference-maker in employees’ workplace comfort and job performance.
- Facilities managers can be PPW key allies – Panelist Jen Severns of Egal, Pads on a Roll spoke about the importance of bringing bathroom facilities managers into the PPW conversation. As 79% of facilities managers are men, it is important to engage with them about the benefits and relative ease of providing period products in workplace bathrooms.
Keeping up the Momentum
This webinar, featuring the PPW’s first-ever survey findings and a diverse array of certified PPW industry leaders, highlighted the progress of the PPW campaign since its launch last May. By adopting menstrual-friendly policies and working to destigmatize menstruation in the workplace, businesses can foster more inclusive environments that benefit both employers and employees.
The PPW Coalition invites all organizations to join the movement by implementing three practices:
- Providing access to period products in or near workplace bathrooms.
- Ensuring each workplace bathroom meets WHO’s Global Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene standards.
- Formally notifying employees that period products are and will continue to be provided at work.
Through these practices, businesses can make substantive steps toward prioritizing menstrual health in their workplaces. As the private sector becomes increasingly aware of the importance of supporting their employees who menstruate, the further we can advance menstrual equity and the closer we can come to realizing gender equality.
To learn more, you can visit the Period Positive Workplace website.
You can watch the entire webinar recording HERE, and access the presentation slides HERE.
