Period at Work: Rights, Tips, and the Menstrual Leave Debate
There is currently no statutory menstrual leave in Germany. However, if you are unable to work due to severe period pain, you can take sick leave as usual, with full continued pay. You do not have to tell your employer the reason. Countries like Spain show that there are other models.
Contents
- Is there menstrual leave in Germany?
- What rights do you have at work if you suffer from severe period pain?
- What is menstrual leave, and where is it available?
- What is the debate like in Germany?
- What helps you if you work with symptoms?
- What can employers do?
- Frequently asked questions about periods and work
Is there menstrual leave in Germany?
No, German labor law does not recognize specific menstrual leave. There is no legal right to days off specifically for menstruation.
However, this does not mean that you have to work with severe symptoms at all costs. If period pain makes you unable to work, you are legally considered to be suffering from any other illness. You can take sick leave and continue to receive your salary. The difference to countries with menstrual leave is primarily the name and visibility, not necessarily the outcome.
What rights do you have at work if you suffer from severe period pain?
More than many people think. The most important points at a glance:
You are allowed to report sick. If you cannot work due to pain, you are unable to work, just as you would be with a migraine or a cold. For a doctor's sick note, this is often possible by phone now for minor complaints.
You do not have to state a diagnosis. What is wrong with you is your private matter. Neither you nor your doctor has to tell your employer the reason. The sick note your company receives does not contain a diagnosis, only the period of absence.
You continue to receive your salary. According to the Continued Remuneration Act, your employer continues to pay your full salary for up to six weeks in the event of illness, provided your employment has lasted for at least four weeks.
In short: you are not dependent on an extra law. Existing sickness law covers you if the pain is really severe.
What is menstrual leave, and where is it available?
Menstrual leave refers to days off specifically intended for people with severe period pain. The model is not new. In Japan, there has been a legal regulation since 1947; similar models exist in South Korea, Indonesia, and Zambia, among others.
Within Europe, Spain has taken the lead. Since June 1, 2023, people with severe period pain can take up to three days off per month there, and longer if necessary. A doctor's certificate is required, and the state covers the salary during this time. This makes Spain the first EU country with such a regulation.
It is interesting to note what happened next: menstrual leave has hardly been used in practice so far. Many affected individuals fear being stigmatized at work if they take advantage of it. This shows that a law alone does not change workplace culture overnight.
What is the debate like in Germany?
Controversial, and across all camps. Triggered by the Spanish example, menstrual leave was also discussed in Germany. A political initiative called for two days off per month, explicitly without a doctor's certificate. A concrete draft law has not yet emerged from this.
In favor of menstrual leave is that it takes seriously complaints that have long been taboo, and relieves the pressure on affected individuals to drag themselves to work sick. However, criticism also comes from women themselves. The concern: a separate regulation could disadvantage women in their professional lives, for example when hiring, and make periods even more of a special case instead of normalizing them. The Spanish example, with its low usage, fuels precisely this debate.
There is no clear answer, and that's okay. One thing is clear: the issue is finally on the table, both at work and in politics.
What helps you if you work with symptoms?
On days when you can manage, but still feel unwell, a few things can make the working day easier:
- Have warmth ready: A heat patch under your clothes or a warm drink can make cramps more bearable, inconspicuously at your desk.
- Plan your day: If you know when your period is coming, schedule demanding appointments for other days if possible.
- Incorporate movement: A short walk during a break promotes blood circulation and benefits many people.
- Stock up on supplies: A small emergency kit with products and painkillers in your drawer relieves stress.
- Talk openly if you wish: Being open with a trusted person on your team can be a relief. It's not a must; it's your decision.
And the most important point: if the pain is too severe, calling in sick is not a weakness, but your right.
What can employers do?
A lot, and no new law is needed for that. A workplace that considers periods helps affected individuals and has a positive effect externally and internally.
Specifically, this means, for example: providing free menstrual products in restrooms, enabling flexible working hours or home office on difficult days, and creating a culture where no one has to justify calling in sick. Openly addressing the topic, for example in health programs, also lowers inhibitions.
For companies, this is more than a nice gesture. Those who take the health of their employees seriously score points in retaining skilled workers and with a workforce that feels seen.
Frequently asked questions about periods and work
Can I get a sick note for period pain?
Yes. If period pain makes you unable to work, you can get a sick note just like for any other illness. You will continue to receive your salary and do not have to disclose the reason.
Do I have to tell my employer that I have my period?
No. The nature of your illness is your private matter. You only report that you are unable to work and state the estimated duration. Neither you nor your doctor has to disclose a diagnosis to the company.
Do I get my salary if I take sick leave due to my period?
Yes. In the event of inability to work, your employer will continue to pay your full salary for up to six weeks according to the Continued Remuneration Act, provided your employment has lasted for at least four weeks.
Are there companies in Germany that offer menstrual leave?
There is no legal entitlement, but individual employers voluntarily introduce their own regulations. Whether your company offers such a thing is most likely stated in a company agreement or you can ask the HR department directly.
When is period pain a case for the doctor?
If the pain regularly disrupts your daily life, hardly improves with common remedies, or changes, you should have it medically examined. Severe symptoms are not a fate you simply have to endure.
What is the difference between menstrual leave and sick leave?
Menstrual leave involves specific days off designated for that purpose. Sick leave, on the other hand, applies whenever you are actually unable to work, regardless of the reason. In Germany, only the second option is currently available.
Sources
- Legal Tribune Online: Menstrual complaints, leave and the regulation in Spain. lto.de
- Deutsches Ärzteblatt: Labor law, privacy takes precedence even in cases of illness. aerzteblatt.de
- Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB): Guide to illness and labor law. dgb.de
This article is for general information only and does not replace medical or legal advice. If you experience severe, unusual, or persistent symptoms, please consult your gynecologist.
