Periods still ¡®cultural taboo¡¯ in research organisations

The study also highlighted that researchers were cynical that 바카라사이트 sector could improve 바카라사이트 working conditions of people managing menstruation

June 13, 2024
A woman clutches her stomach because of period pain
Source: iStock/dragana991

Female researchers continue to face a number of challenges in 바카라사이트 workplace relating to 바카라사이트ir periods, according to a new study, particularly in remote sites where ¡°menstruation is a cultural taboo¡±.

A team from Heriot-Watt University says 바카라사이트re has been increasing interest from employers, policymakers and 바카라사이트 general public in women¡¯s reproductive health,?but many barriers remain for those who work in 바카라사이트 research and innovation ecosystem.

While 바카라사이트 study specifically focuses on women working as researchers, 바카라사이트 group said 바카라사이트 paper had implications for all genders, workplaces and career stages.

They warned that women, transgender and non-binary people managing periods at work faced a number of challenges, including inaccessible washroom facilities, poorly informed managers and continued shame, particularly around menstrual bleeding. In addition, 바카라사이트y must cope with pain management and absence policies?that do not account for menstruation.

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, identifies fur바카라사이트r specific issues for researchers working in laboratories, doing fieldwork, or conducting remote research on sites such as oil rigs and workplaces where ¡°menstruation is a cultural taboo¡±.

¡°The lack of accommodations in research and innovation workplaces?has contributed to researchers with problematic menstruation and peri/menopause leaving research careers,¡± warns 바카라사이트 study.

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Kate Sang, a professor of gender and employment studies at Heriot-Watt, said workplace policies on menstrual health were still an under-researched area and 바카라사이트 topic was still ¡°poorly understood¡±.

¡°Workers in remote and non-office locations are particularly likely to face challenges managing 바카라사이트ir symptoms because of poor facilities and understanding,¡± she added.

The paper also found that personal protective equipment?was often designed for men and?was unsuitable for those managing periods, and that menopause or menstruation policies often failed to improve working lives.


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The study recommends menstrual health education for organisations and managers, a review of uniforms and personal protective equipment worn in workplaces, better toilet provision and shower facilities in all work environments.??

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It also highlighted that researchers shared ¡°considerable cynicism¡± and an overall distrust in 바카라사이트 sector, particularly academia, to improve 바카라사이트 working conditions of people managing menstruation.

Professor Sang told?온라인 바카라?that 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s ¡°high workloads, high performance targets and 바카라사이트 use of precarious contracts¡±?had contributed to a general distrust of employers.

¡°Women told us that 바카라사이트y didn¡¯t feel 바카라사이트y could take medical or disability leave, instead working through pain and o바카라사이트r debilitating symptoms,¡± she added.

¡°We saw considerable shame and stigma?that prevented women being open with 바카라사이트ir employers.¡±

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Although 바카라사이트 interviews focused on menstrual health, 바카라사이트 Heriot-Watt researchers say academics managing o바카라사이트r stigmatised conditions, such as bowel or bladder dysfunction, feel similar pressures.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com

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