Do you stock feminine hygiene products in your bathrooms for your employees (or perhaps customers)? While some might think this is a trivial thing, it could make a difference to your employees.
Federal law doesn’t require businesses to provide feminine hygiene products for their employees, and (as far as I know), no state requires it either. Thankfully, a recent change to Flexible Spending Accounts means that you can use that money for tampons and pads, meaning that the IRS finally recognizes them as essential healthcare items. But, even so, not everyone has a healthcare plan that provides an FSA or participates.
Proving tampons is probably good for employee retention too — especially if there are a lot of low-income employees. What do the numbers say? Jezebel estimates women spend about $120 a year on menstrual products during their reproductive lifetime, a total of about $5,000. And many women in the U.S. have experienced “period poverty” during their lifetime, meaning, for women living on the edge financially, it could be a choice between buying tampons or dinner.
To keep reading, click here: The Cheap Perk 50 Percent of Your Workforce Will Love
Good idea. Like every woman, I’ve had those incidents where my period started unexpectantly, and I had to deal with the consequences. I can relate to the sweater around the waist gambit, since I once had to wear my coat to a workplace event, under similar circumstances. Our office recently moved into a building formerly used by Nokia, and they had those vending machines in the Ladies’ Rooms for feminine hygiene products, showing the price as “Free.” Nice touch. Prior to that, such a perk had never occurred to me. Now I think every workplace should consider doing it.
Hi! I have noticed in your last 2 articles on inc., I couldn’t read up the whole article unless I subscribe, is this now a requirement? doesn’t it count that I am on your mailing list?
To IFY—If may have something to do with your newest update on your browser. You may have to give permission for this site and whatever cookies it has as it’s classified as an not secure site by certain browsers.
As for the dispensers in the bathroom, that’s a nice perk in the employee bathroom but I would hesitate for a public use bathroom like in a food court, etc., where’s there is no attendant to monitor the bathroom.
Thank you for your help Maria rose. I don’t think it is from my browser because I have checked. I believe inc. just recently monetized getting their newsletter. Anyone else getting the same feedback as me?
it’s Inc. They now give you three free articles a month before you have to subscribe.
You can get around it (I believe!) by clicking on a social media link. I share all links on my facebook group as well, if you want to join.
Just ask the membership question or my mods will delete you.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/evilhrlady
ANSWER the membership question.
Sigh.
Hi Susan! I appreciate your response. I am a member of the group already.
Thank you for your help Maria rose. I don’t think it is from my browser because I have checked. I believe inc. just recently monetized getting their newsletter. Anyone else getting the same feedback as me?
agree – afterall, many companies provide free coffee! Why not free emergency feminine hygiene products?
My last office job didn’t even have enough sanitary bins. Very glad to be out of that place.
Love this! Such a great idea! It’s the little things that show how much companies care about their employees.