Social enterprise sets deadline to complete ‘intheflow’ mission in time for international event

It wants to work with 100 Sussex organisations by March 8 next year.

Social enterprise ‘intheflow’ is on a mission to introduce policy, product and protection to 100 Sussex organisations by International Women’s Day on the 8th March next year.

Em Anastasi, Period Poverty Activist and founder of the social enterprise intheflow, has partnered with BOXLESS to make this a reality.

Em comments: “A menopause policy is a great start, but it really should be seen as the bare minimum. I have partnered with Boxless to share the need for a Menstrual Health Policy in its entirety, which should be on everyone’s agenda.”

What is period poverty?

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management and education about menstruation. This issue affects millions of people worldwide who menstruate, often impacting those from low-income households, marginalised communities or those living in developing regions. Period poverty can lead to missed school or work days, health issues from using improvised or unhygienic materials, and stigmatisation around menstruation.

A survey by Essity in 2022 found that 46% of participants in Brighton and Hove were experiencing period poverty. This is thought to be the largest rate of period poverty in the UK.

So how does that look in the workplace?

• 89% of menstruators feel anxiety and stress around managing their periods at work

• 99% feel the symptoms of their menopause had a negative impact on their careers

• 70% of employees are willing to change jobs for a more supportive policy

This adds up to 150 million working days being lost each year due to the lack of workplace support in women’s health. With these examples, you start to understand how period poverty is far more than a lack of access to essential period care. It’s a gender based barrier physically presenting as unmanageable symptoms in unsupportive environments, which prevents people from attending work or school, limiting their opportunities and chance to reach their full potential.

Intheflow delivers menstrual health policy implementation and accreditation for employers to become Period Positive Employers. This includes donations of eco-friendly and sustainable period care to foodbanks, shelters and community hubs right here in Sussex.

As consultants it’s our duty to ensure that all people are represented in policy updates and to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout. Introducing a ‘Menstrual Health Policy’ is an intentional action employers must take to acknowledge the experience women, non-binary and transgender people face throughout different stages of life and hormonal changes in their career. A menopause policy alone represents those in a certain age group (typically 40yrs-60yrs), whereas a menstrual health policy will cover considerably more.

Many experiencing menopausal symptoms feel forced out of their role and unsafe to make a request for reasonable adjustments. This could be due to the stigma and shame surrounding menstrual health, stress and anxiety, unsupportive policies, a lack of understanding, poor management and damaging workplace attitudes.

What are employers’ responsibilities?

Symptoms of the menopause and other menstrual health conditions can have a substantial, long term impact for employees to carry out their normal day-to-day activities which can be considered as a disability which is a protected characteristic, alongside sex and age under the Equality Act 2010. Without having a supportive menstrual health and menopause policy in place, employers could be at risk to a discrimination based claim.

The Labour government and UK legislation provide guidance for workplaces to address these issues. Equality Act 2010, Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 and The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)

How Boxless UK and intheflow can support your organisation

• Auditing and policy implementation. Assisting organisations in creating customised menstrual health and menopause policies that align with their specific workplace culture.

• Workplace training. Providing training sessions to raise awareness and encourage open discussion about menstrual and menopause health needs.

• Accreditation. Celebrating your organisation as a Period Positive Employer.

BOXLESS founder Bud Johnston adds: “Tackling period poverty is everyone’s responsibility. As a man in business this can often feel like a distant issue, however intheflow has put everything into bite size chunks. Em’s mission is very achievable and what a way to celebrate International Women’s Day in 2025!”

Join the movement

Ahead of International Women’s Day, we are inviting Sussex Business Times readers the opportunity to receive their intheflow accreditation in becoming a Period Positive Employer. This accreditation supports employees affected by menstruation and menopause, strengthening your employer branding and ESG efforts, contributing to your DEI commitments, building a culture that is inclusive, empowering and free of gender based barriers.

To become a period positive employer, and join the movement for workplace equity, email BOXLESS – info@boxless.uk