“Supporting menstrual health at work improves retention and productivity for women.”
- ‘Menstrual Health And Hygiene: A Catalyst To Elevate Human Capital’ published on World Bank website (May 2025)
Each day many women go to work to support their families and contribute to the country’s economy. Their monthly menses is a challenge where they go through physical and emotional changes. Thus, it remains to be a significant challenge in their lives. It is a natural biological process they undergo, sometimes most ignored and least discussed especially at workplaces.
Accessibility to sanitary products is of paramount concern. Also, improper facilities at restrooms leads to inconvenience and discomfort to menstruating women. However, the situation is improving as sanitary vending machines have been installed in restrooms at workplaces. It has revolutionized menstrual health and benefitted women largely. It is a crucial step towards empowering women.
We delve into the discussion about why it is vital to install sanitary napkin vending machines at workplaces.
It promotes inclusivity, equality, and employee comfort. It ensures that sanitary napkins are readily available especially during emergencies or when these are not available easily or in limited amounts.
Installing vending machine at workplace is vital –
Meeting the needs and expectations of women employees:
Women contribute significantly towards the growth of the company. They account for quite a sizeable amount of global workforce and most of them are in the menstruating age. It is the responsibility of companies to provide ready access to menstruation products. It is only practical to address to their requirement at work.
Easy access during emergencies:
Women sometimes get periods unexpectedly and are not prepared with sanitary napkins. In such situations a sanitary napkin vending machine could come to their rescue. It is a quick solution. They needn’t leave the office hurriedly to find a place that sells sanitary napkin. It provides peace of mind and comfort to women.
Improved hygiene and comfort:
When sanitary pads are available at workplaces it encourages hygiene by letting the employees change and replace them as and when needed. When easy access to menstrual products is not available, they have to resort to unhygienic options that lead to rashes, or infections. The vending machine prevents all these issues by giving safe access to sanitary solutions.
Reduces stigma:
For many women and in some societies, menstruation is a topic of social stigma. It makes people uncomfortable – may it be colleagues or seniors. In such a case women get privacy to manage their physical needs in a dignified manner and leads to inclusivity.
Boosts morale:
Women face innumerable challenges related to health and their wellbeing. When an organization takes care of their health requirements, they feel valued and it boosts their morale as well. It fosters healthy work environment.
Boosts productivity and reduces absenteeism:
When there is an easy access to sanitary pads, they are not worried and stressed about changing or maintaining hygiene. Their focus remains work thus, boosting their productivity and reducing absenteeism. Women can quickly get access to sanitary pads and return to work without disturbing their work. Employees who might leave work early owing to lack of access to menstruation products, continue working.
Low health risk:
Inadequate care during menstruation leads to health issues and bacterial infections. When hygienic environment is provided like access to fresh sanitary pads it reduces the health risks significantly.
Promotes inclusive culture:
When an organization decides to provide access to sanitary pads it is a significant move to foster inclusivity and it promotes employee friendly culture.
Empowerment and gender equality:
Women feel confident about managing their periods and stay completely engaged at work without interruptions or distractions. Thus, they feel empowered. Women’s health should also be acknowledged and supported like other health requirements are supported. When workplaces place these vending machines, it supports women employees and reflects upon the company’s dedication to gender equality.
Company culture:
This step towards caring for women employees makes the company modern and progressive. Clients and employees look up to the company as inclusive, and gender sensitive.
Boosts morale and loyalty:
People realize that the company prioritizes employee’s comfort, wellbeing and happiness. Such small acts of concern like providing sanitary pads hugely impacts employee welfare. It reflects upon the culture of valuing and caring for employees. Thus, employees remain loyal to the company, stay involved and engaged.
Easy to attract and retain talent:
Prospective hires view companies as progressive since the workplaces prioritize menstrual health. Today Gen Z prefer companies that take care of employees and promote inclusivity. A small investment in a sanitary pad vending machine can go a long way in giving a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent.
Connect with our team to know more about sanitary pad vending machines that could immensely benefit your company.