Yahoo Lifestyle 
Modibodi's vision to help break stigma around women’s health topics at work
Australian-owned and female-led leak-proof apparel company, Modibodi, has a ground-breaking policy, hoping to help normalise often ‘taboo’ conversations in the workplace.
To ensure employees do not need to work in pain, all Modibodi staff have paid menstrual, menopause and miscarriage leave. The company was among the first in Australia to add these entitlements to personal leave.
On International Women's Day, CEO Kristy Chong speaks to Yahoo Lifestyle about the change she thinks other employers and businesses could embrace and why it's so important.
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Breaking the stigma
“We introduced paid menstrual, menopause and miscarriage leave to all Modibodi staff back in May 2021," Kristy tells us.
"The policy allows employees to take paid leave days for either menstruation, menopause or miscarriage, or to choose to work from home during days when they’re feeling discomfort.
“Modibodi’s vision is to break the stigma around women’s health topics and lead discussions to encourage people to openly discuss their health.
"Over half the population has periods and will experience menopause at some stage of their life, and it is reported that one-in-five women trying to fall pregnant will experience a miscarriage.
"These are common experiences that can be associated with difficulties emotionally or physically, and sometimes with severe symptoms.
"It is high time we allow people to take leave or to work from home, instead of feeling like they need to hide the pain, lie, or feel awkward taking days off when they’re suffering.
“We’re acknowledging the fact that every individual’s experience is different, and we believe having a specific policy further helps break down stigma and taboos.”
Boost to wellbeing
Kristy says leave for menstruation, menopause, and miscarriage is crucial for employee wellbeing.
“The introduction of a policy like this helps to break the stigma around women’s health topics, leading to discussions to encourage people to openly discuss health issues,” she says.
“I suggest that companies need to have an open discussion with their workforce to shape what the policy might look like and how it would work.
"It needs to be established genuinely and with the understanding people can access it openly when they need it, without any stigma or repercussions - and it cannot just be done for a PR benefit.
“Businesses need to understand that, for some people, the symptoms they experience during menstruation, menopause, or miscarriage are significant and they shouldn’t have to ‘just put up with it’ or ‘just get on with it’.”
“It is crucial to keep the conversation going, so that menstrual care and self-care become commonplace at work, home, and school.
“We as individuals, parents, friends, and colleagues need to work together to replace shame with understanding and compassion.”
An end to guilt
Kristy says the policy has helped empower women.
“They have mentioned to me personally how it has helped them feel less guilty, ashamed, and more comfortable, because they could actually rest and recover," Kristy says.
“By offering our employees the support they require when they require it, we have seen an uptick in staff feeling empowered to speak up about their health concerns.
"They feel less ashamed and are no longer suffering in silence.”
In January, Modibodi launched the world’s first biodegradable period and pee-proof underwear in a milestone step for sustainable apparel and fem-tech innovation.
Developed over two years and scientifically tested by RMIT, they are designed to reduce the harm textile waste has on the planet. Most of the brief’s materials decompose within six months when buried in active soil.
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