CHANI implements menstrual leave policy

While there are many impressive perks to working at CHANI, one benefit catches the eyes of potential employees. This queer and feminist-led company gives benefits such as salaries starting at $80,000 a year, an annual tech stipend, an excellent 401(k) match, and four months of paid paternal leave. The LA-based company offers another benefit, "unlimited menstrual leave for people with uteruses."

Elaborating on the policy, CEO Sonya Passi says "it's incredibly painful to have a uterus, and yet from a young age we're taught to push through this pain and keep working." The policy is a leading example of the growing push to eliminate the taboo surrounding menstruation and acknowledge the physical, emotional, and mental discomfort. While the concept of menstrual leave isn't common in the US, it exists elsewhere. Spain is about to become the first western country to offer women up to three days a month as period leave. Such people have long existed in countries like Japan, China, Indonesia, and Zambia. 

CHANI implemented the menstrual leave policy so that people do not have to deplete sick or vacation days to deal with a fact of life "Folks just need to let their supervisor know as soon as they decide to take the menstrual leave, its an automatic yes-there isn't an approval process." says Passi. About 60 percent of the company's employees have used the policy at least once. 

Source: The Washington Post