States with Legislation for Period Care Access
Menstruation is a biological function. Anyone who says differently probably never had sisters or daughters or a mother.
As a point of gender equality, menstrual-care products should be as readily available and free of charge as toilet paper, paper towels, toilet seat covers and soap.
This approach to feminine-care product availability is the only way facility managers should think of it. Universal access to tampons and pads is a necessity for women. And many state legislatures have mandated it as a necessity in government-funded facilities.
At least 12 states (including the District of Columbia) have enacted laws requiring the availability of free menstrual products in schools. This move is aimed at helping students maintain their health, dignity and access to education without any hindrances due to the lack of essential menstrual care products.
But schools aren't the only institutions facing this change. Correctional facilities are now required by law to provide free menstrual products in at least 24 states. And three states now require them in homeless shelters.
As a facility manager, it's worth considering how you can implement this solution into your own organization, whether it's a school, prison, shelter or private entity. That's because providing free and readily available menstrual products in your facility can actually reduce your operating expenses.
That's right. Free tampons can reduce costs.
Here's how:
2. Free tampons reduce the total amount of restroom cleaning time.
When your restrooms aren't equipped with the necessary amenities, women find alternatives — like toilet tissue, napkins or paper towels (all of which you also provide for free, by the way).
After use, these makeshift tampons end up exactly where actual tampons do: in your restroom. And while OSHA rules do not directly address tampon and sanitary napkin disposal, it does require regular cleaning and decontamination for any surfaces that are exposed to blood.
That means your staff may spend way more time cleaning your restrooms than necessary. However, providing an adequate supply of free tampons and pads helps you to avoid this time-consuming cleaning task, altogether.
When given the choice, women will choose a tampon over a jury-rigged paper towel make-do every time.
What's stopping you from providing free tampons now? Probably your budget. Or lack thereof.
As a facility manager, you may be considering providing free menstrual care products for employees or customers, but you might be worried about the cost.
Here's our sage advice on that topic: don't worry about the cost.
What you'll typically find is that the cost adds up to a surprisingly low amount compared to other standard office perks you already provide.
For example, Free the Tampon, an advocacy group focused on getting period products funded by state budgets, estimates that it costs $5-$7 per year per person to supply period products. The average cost of providing free coffee: $50-$125 per year per person.
If you don't put much stock into estimates, then let's look at a relatively recent real-world example of the cost of providing free menstrual products in your facility.
Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) in Massachusetts tracked its menstrual product purchases cumulatively over a three-year period between 2017 and 2019.3 CPS tracked the costs of tampons and pads but also the cost of the dispensers for these products.
The data analysis shows that the cost of providing free period products can be even lower than most governments and businesses think.
About 1,700 female students made use of the restrooms stocked with these products.
So, on a per-student basis, the cost of the menstrual products (including waste wrappers but excluding receptacles and dispensers) was approximately $2.48 per student per year.
What if you still don't have the budget dollars to fund free menstrual products?
We know budget dollars are tight. If you're part of the 49% of facility managers (FMs) who expected operating budgets to decrease this year,4 there are several internal and external funding sources to consider.
1. Start with HR.
HR departments often have line items in their budgets allocated for employee welfare and well-being, which can potentially be tapped into for this initiative.
Explain to your HR director that having menstrual products freely available can improve the work environment for employees, making this a justifiable expense — that doesn't come out of your budget.
2. Tap into your company's D & I program dollars.
Most companies' diversity and inclusion initiatives are designed to support and promote underrepresented groups within the organization. Advocating for accessible period care products would certainly fall under this umbrella.
By tapping into this resource, you could not only provide an essential service for your employees but also champion a meaningful cause that aligns with your company's values.
3. Consider 'green' tampons.
Another way to fund complimentary period products is by choosing eco-friendly tampons. If your facility has established sustainability goals, then part of your budget is most likely allocated for sustainable products.
Eco-friendly tampons and pads count as much toward your sustainability goals as recycled paper towels do. Take advantage of that fact.
4. Partner with women's leadership groups in your company.
Don't embark on funding free tampons all by yourself. You have an army of advocates for such an endeavor within your own facility: the women who work there.
Gather them together and solicit their help to find funding. This simple but powerful gesture could help you source the needed budget dollars quickly.
5. Let your Staples Business Advantage® representative help.
If you're not currently working with Staples Business Advantage, then you're clearly at a disadvantage. Click here to fix that now.
Your Staples Business Advantage rep can help you determine the best way to provide free tampons with the budget you have today. We're adept at finding cost savings that can really add up.