• This short paper gives a snapshot into the menstrual health needs of employees in the UK and the hitherto lack of support for such experiences.

• Half (50%) of female employees say menstrual symptoms have negatively affected them at work in the past 12 months, while 39% say the same for perimenopause or menopause symptoms.

• Younger workers report the heaviest menstrual burden: 80% of 18–24-year-olds and 73% of 25–34-year-olds have been affected. Among those aged 45–54, 73% have been affected by perimenopausal symptoms.

• Two in five (42%) have taken time off work because of these symptoms in the past year. 7% have taken more than ten days off — equivalent to a working fortnight.

• Far more striking is presenteeism: 44% of female employees have worked through symptoms on more than ten days, and 77% have done so on at least one day.

• Where time off was taken, it was usually recorded as sickness leave (60%) or unpaid leave (19%). Just 8% had access to dedicated menstrual health leave.

• Only 16% of female employees have any support arrangements in place at work. 43% say they would like support but do not have it, showing a significant gap between the needs of women and employer support.

• Only 23% know their organisation has a menstrual health or menopause policy – whereas 53% say their employer has none, and 23% do not know.

• When asked what would help, the most popular options are flexible working (40%), greater manager understanding (40%), hybrid or home working (34%), free period products (30%), access to a quiet or rest space (30%), a formal policy (29%) and additional sick leave (29%).

• Around 3 in 10 (28%) have considered leaving their current job because of menstrual or perimenopausal symptoms, including 6% who have done so often.