Iris Unveils New Global Period Policy

Iris, the creative marketing agency, today announces the launch of its new period policy in support of anyone that menstruates.

To normalise and destigmatise conversations about periods, Iris is furthering its commitment to creating a safe and flexible working environment by rolling out a new period policy, empowering people to no longer suffer in silence. Aside from physical pain and discomfort, periods can also impact someone's mental health significantly and as a result, impact their ability to work, both from home and in the office.

With a key focus on creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable asking for the support they need, Iris is expanding the use of paid sick leave to include period symptoms such as severe period pain. The policy allows for paid leave where needed, in addition to any other sick leave allowances, ensuring it’s inclusive of symptoms that make it difficult to work.

Through conversations and in partnership with Fertility Matters at Work to build a period-friendly office. This includes providing free supply of menstrual products available in all bathrooms and educating the workforce to build empathy and understanding around menstruation to better support team members, as well as ensuring they receive respect and discretion in return.

All aspects of the new policy will ensure employees feel confident to communicate with management and colleagues on how their periods may be affecting their work. This will ensure appropriate support and adjustments can be made to schedules such as changing working hours, reducing working hours, encouraging frequent and arranged breaks and blocking time out during the workday for no meetings.

This latest initiative has been launched in Iris’ third consecutive year of commitment to normalising conversations around topics affecting women in the workplace. During this time, Iris has focused policies on supporting women battling with fertility issues such as miscarriages, stillbirths and specific fertility treatments, by partnering with Fertility Matters at Work to become one of the first 100 fertility-friendly companies. Iris has also led the way with menopause support after launching a policy to support women going through perimenopause and the menopause, as well as helping to inform those managing people going through this change.

Harriet Shurville, global chief people officer at Iris, said, “Periods are something that most women have, most months, and for some can be extremely painful and affect the day to day functioning. Those who experience periods have learned to manage them in secret and not discuss any of the very real, and sometimes, serious symptoms that accompany them. While on their period, some will be able to carry on as normal, however, we recognise that periods can seriously impact someone's daily life, including their work life, and want to ensure we are filling gaps in the support we can provide our people at Iris.”