Strasbourg experiments for the first time with leave for its employees affected by menopausal symptoms – Libération

A definite step forward in recognizing the impact that menopause can have on the workplace. Since September 1, the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg has been experimenting with a “gynecological health leave”. A kind of extended menstrual leave: female employees suffering from menstrual pain, endometriosis or symptoms related to their menopause will be able to have 13 days of exceptional absence per year. A first in France. Because while special leave has started to be put in place in certain communities and companies to take into account the impact of periods and endometriosis, this was not the case for menopause.

“We hope that [ce congé] may include other phenomena related to gynecological health, such as symptoms related to menopause”which can cause a “lack of sleep”or even “hot flashes that can be literally incapacitating”explains Christelle Wieder, deputy mayor of Strasbourg, responsible for women’s rights and gender equality. And for good reason: nearly a quarter of menopausal women consider their quality of life to be greatly impacted by hot flashes, one of the most well-known menopausal disorders. And it is just one symptom among a range that women can experience when their periods finally stop. They vary from one person to another, last on average three to five years but can extend up to 10 years, particularly for those affected before their menopause is definitively established. However, this stage of a woman’s life occurs around the age of 50. That is, most often, in the middle of a professional career.

And needless to say, the taboo that persists leads to silence among most of the employees concerned, even though their working conditions are affected. “What is important for us is to send the message to our 3,500 agents that they can obviously be listened to by occupational health and by their manager.”adds Christelle Wieder. In Strasbourg, female agents will therefore be able to benefit from 13 days of annual “gynecological health leave”with a ceiling of three consecutive days. On presentation of a medical certificate issued by a gynecologist or midwife, valid for two years. The operation of this exceptional leave is similar to the special leave authorizations (ASA), granted for example for the care of a sick child.

Arrange working conditions

In addition to these days off, training courses are also being set up, particularly for team leaders. “Managers need to be informed about what it means to have heavy periods: it means going to the toilet at least every hour, it means headaches, etc.”continues the deputy in charge of women’s rights. But the granting of a few days of respite is insufficient without any adjustment to the daily working conditions for female workers. The community affirms that discussions are also underway on this point. For example, with “easy access to toilets for all agents, because not all of them have office jobs, some work in our green spaces or in the municipal police”or even “more flexibility in teleworking”.

For women employed at the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, “It’s about daring to take the step and talk about it in the workplace, which is not yet entirely easy.” Christelle Wieder hopes for a “ripple effect” of this measure “on other communities and perhaps on national legislation”. We may have to wait a little longer to see such provisions become law: in February, the Senate rejected a proposal from the socialist group to introduce a specific sick leave for cases of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). At the end of March, the Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly rejected the article of an environmental bill proposing this same type of leave.