Addressing Menstruation in the Workplace: The Menstrual Leave Debate

Abstract

Levitt and Barnack-Tavlaris discuss the idea of menstrual leave, a policy option that provides employees with time off during menstruation. They counter the paucity of research surrounding the impacts of such policies on menstruators and the locations offering leave. Levitt and Barnack-Tavlaris argue that without addressing underlying sexist beliefs and attitudes as well as gender discrimination, menstrual leave could have negative effects on menstruators. The authors augment this research with findings from their previous study, which examines attitudes toward and perceptions of menstrual leave. Against this background, the chapter concludes with a discussion of alternative approaches to menstrual leave.