A BRITISH company is set to create a “period policy” to give women time off work during their monthly cycle.

Social community group Coexist will launch the new initiative — believed to be a UK first — which aims to tap into female staff’s “natural rhythms” in a bid to create a happier and more productive work environment.

Despite affecting half the population, periods are still often considered taboo — and women can feel embarrassed to admit they are in pain.

Company director Bex Baxter wants to change the stigma around “women’s issues”, reports The Sun.

“I have managed many female members of staff over the years and I have seen women at work who are bent over double because of the pain caused by their periods,” she said.

“Despite this, they feel they cannot go home because they do not class themselves as unwell.

“And this is unfair. At Coexist we are very understanding. If someone is in pain — no matter what kind — they are encouraged to go home.

“But, for us, we wanted a policy in place which recognises and allows women to take time for their body’s natural cycle without putting this under the label of illness.”

Bristol-based Coexist employs 31 staff, including seven men, and wants to address the monthly trauma many experience in order to increase workplace productivity.

“There is a misconception that taking time off makes a business unproductive — actually it is about synchronising work with the natural cycles of the body,” Ms Baxter said.

“For women, one of these is their menstrual cycles. Naturally, when women are having their periods they are in a winter state, when they need to regroup, keep warm and nourish their bodies.

“The spring section of the cycle, immediately after a period is a time when women are actually three times as productive as usual.”

It is a cause close to Ms Baxter’s heart, as she suffers from bad cramps every month.

“My team here have always been very generous — I’ve been able to take time off when I’ve needed it, but always put it back in again,” she said.

“But until now there haven’t been any formal guidelines.”

The Coexist boss says the idea has been welcomed enthusiastically by staff of both genders.

“For too long there’s been a taboo surrounding periods. I have women staff telling me they’re ashamed to admit they’re in pain,” she said.

“I want us to break down that shame and replace the negativity with positivity. Both men and women have been open to the ideas, especially from the younger generation.

“I was talking to someone the other day and they said if it were men who had periods then this policy would have been brought in sooner.

“It’s not just about taking time off if you feel unwell but about empowering people to be their optimum selves.

This is not the first time “period policies” have been put in place.

Menstrual leave began in Japan in 1947 and countries including South Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia also have laws in place allowing women time off work during their period.

The Chinese province Anhui has also agreed to give women paid monthly leave if they produce a doctor’s letter.

Sportswear giant Nike is thought to be the only worldwide company to officially include menstrual leave as part of their Code of Conduct.

Ms Baxter and her team aim to formulate the policy during a seminar this month.

Seminar leader Alexandra Pope believes “cycle awareness” helps both men and women become more productive.

“In the past any proposal to allow women to have time off at menstruation has been derided by men and women alike,” she said.

“In this context menstruation is seen as a liability or a problem. Or as women getting ‘special treatment’.

“The purpose of this policy initiative is to create a positive approach to menstruation and the menstrual cycle that empowers women and men and supports the effectiveness and wellbeing of the organisation.

“To restore the menstrual cycle as the asset it is.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.