The U.S. Department of Labor became the target of backlash after sharing a post using the word “menstruators” instead of women.
To promote Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, a day of awareness started by the German non-profit WASH United in 2013, the U.S. government promoted a blog post on the “5 easy actions employers can take to help menstruators thrive at work.”
The blog repeatedly referred to “menstruating employees” and added that the Women’s Bureau is “breaking down the stereotypes and stigmas that have made menstruation a taboo topic in the workplace.”
#Menstruation affects half the U.S. workforce but talking about it at work can be taboo. For #MenstrualHygieneDay, here are 5 easy actions employers can take to help menstruators thrive at work. https://t.co/IwXzPD9huY #PeriodFriendlyWorld #MHD2024
— U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) May 29, 2024
While employers have already made sure to provide some guidelines that help “to support menstruators,” the Labor Department listed five specific ways they can do more to ensure workplaces are “more menstruation-friendly.”
These included flexibility in uniforms and working hours, access to products in bathrooms, and guaranteed access to paid sick leave. Employers were also encouraged to make adjustments to ensure “workplaces are more inclusive of menstruating employees, reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation, and improve menstruators’ quality of life at work.”
“Menstruation does not have to be taboo,” the post concludes. “Employees who feel supported can continue to thrive in the workplace during their periods. By providing basic protections and accommodations, employers can signal a commitment to ensuring all workers maintain the dignity they deserve.”
The Labor Department was shredded on social media.
“here are 5 easy actions employers can take to help menstruators thrive at work.”
Women. They’re called women.
— Sunny (@sunnyright) May 29, 2024
Why does this post seem like there is confusion about who menstruates?
The answer is women.
Women menstruate.
— Meara (@MillennialOther) May 29, 2024
Calling women “menstruators” is offensive
— PhilosophiCat (@Philosophi_Cat) May 29, 2024
First, only women have periods. Just say it. Second, why would we talk about our periods at work?
— carolyn tackett (@CarolsCloset) May 29, 2024
I’m pretty sure I would fired if I talked to someone about her menstruation at work.
— Dan-The-Mansogynist (@dfeakins76) May 29, 2024
The people at dept of labor and elsewhere are absolutely bloody idiots. Women have been in the workforce for 100 years! No one needed to talk about it men avoid it like the plague and women sure as hell don’t want to advertise it. Knock this shit off!
— Joan Miller (@JMiller4491) May 29, 2024
I miss the simpler times, when employers weren’t allowed to talk about what’s happening with our reproductive organs.
— EllyKayUSA (@EllyKayUSA) May 29, 2024
We don’t want to talk about it at work.
– signed, women –
— Anna Hoffman (@shoesonplease) May 29, 2024
This is amazing. Almost every response ratioed this nonsense.
Your tweet is bad and you should feel bad.
— Forrest (@typicalfo) May 30, 2024
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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