From September, female employees of the city of Strasbourg can benefit from 13 days of gynecological health leave per year.
Muriel Kaiser with AFP
Written on 02/09/2024, updated on 02/09/2024
The leave provides for a possibility of 13 days of absence per year — Shutterstock
The Eurometropolis of Strasbourg is experimenting from September with a “gynecological health leave”allowing employees suffering from menstrual pain, endometriosis or symptoms related to menopause to have 13 days of exceptional absence per year.
This experimental device is intended to be broader than the “menstrual leave” established by Saint-Ouen, Lyon, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region or certain companies.
Also read: What is the effect of the pill on endometriosis?
Taking into account the symptoms of menopause
“We hope that it can encompass other phenomena linked to gynecological health, such as symptoms linked to menopause.”which can cause a “lack of sleep”or even “hot flashes that can be literally incapacitating”explained to AFP Christelle Wieder, deputy mayor of Strasbourg (EELV) in charge of women’s rights and gender equality.
“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”she added.
An exceptional leave of a maximum duration of three days
They will be able to benefit from 13 days per year of “gynecological health leave”, with a ceiling of three consecutive days, upon presentation of a medical certificate issued by a gynecologist or midwife, valid for two years.
The operation of this exceptional leave is similar to special leave authorizations (ASA), granted for example to look after a sick child.
The experimentation of this system is combined with the establishment of training intended in particular 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.“, explained Christelle Wieder.
Improving working conditions
The community is also seeking to improve working conditions for women, for example: “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”recognizes Christelle Wieder, who hopes for a “ripple effect” of this measure “on other communities and perhaps on national legislation.”
In February, the Senate rejected a proposal from the socialist group to introduce specific sick leave for cases of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).
The Health Magazine – France 5
