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Woman Gets Reported To HR For Being On Her Period, Decides To Share Her Full Story Online
As if women in the corporate world needed something else to worry about, it is now apparently inappropriate for co-workers to know that you’re on your period, especially if they’re male.
An office worker in the UK recently anonymously discussed an ordeal she endured on Mumsnet, a British parenting site. A male co-worker, hereby known as ‘Guy,’ noticed that she had a hot water bottle nestled into her lap, and jokingly asked about it. Anyone who has ever experienced the searing pain of period cramps would know why it was there, but poor Guy was out of the loop, and had to be politely informed. The man, clearly offended by the thought of a woman (gasp) menstruating in front of him, reported her to the HR department. What followed was an embarrassing conversation that we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemy.
The Internet is now outraged, mostly because none of us were aware that having a uterus was considered a medical condition. Scroll down to read the whole story for yourself, find out how people reacted, and add your own 2 cents at the end. Just make sure none of your male peers are watching, as they might assume that you, too, are suffering from the notorious period.
More info: mumsnet.com
RELATED:
A UK woman working in an office recently shared this outrageous story on a parenting website
People went berserk after reading it, and the replies they posted pretty much hit the nail on the head
Do you agree with these comments? Be sure to leave your opinion below
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What do you think ?
Panda 8 years ago
I'm honestly more angry at the HR person (who is also a woman!), because she took his side. She should've told him to grow up and get over it.
BREAK YOUr perceptions 8 years ago
as a male. this is disgustingly stupid of that company. she wasn't exposing herself. she wasn't making it overtly obvious. and she didn't state anything clearly until an HR admin contacted her. its absolutely wrong how the company handled this and is an absolute ethics violation. (at least it would be in the US)
Max Alberts 3 years ago
So many of these comments, it turns out, are NOT from the U.S. and come from countries where women have no remedies.
Load More Replies...
Petra Christovová 8 years ago
Honestly, this "Guy" person seems like a huge jerk having some serious problem with women. Generally there is lack of personal approach in work, I hate how someone has problem with colleague and instead of talking to the person, he/she just goes to the person´s boss or HR. This is quite unsettling, because something similar happened to me more times too and it seems that is it more of a norm than exception. I personally prefer to discuss anything with concerned person even when it is not pleasant, to do otherwise is just cowardly and immature imho.
Eva Tóthová 8 years ago
You know what? i think, that this story is about Daniel Losinger as he denies that story so much :D
Load More Replies...
Sarah Maslowski 8 years ago
This 'Guy' person must have never seen a woman, or have a girlfriend... My job is mostly with men. And when I was feeling very bad because of my periods and my colleagues noticed it and asked me what was wrong, I honestly said : "Oh, sorry it's just... THAT time of the month". ALL were saying to me : " I understand. My wife/girlfriend has also a lot of problems and feels so much pain during her periods... " I was sooo surprised to see men paying attention so nicely to me... I never felt ashamed with them. Strangely, more with women...
Daria B 8 years ago
My closest new colleague got hers on the very first day of work. We went to the bathroom together and she was like "oh no!" I offered her a menstrual pad. I make sure to have some in my drawers and in my bag in case of emergencies.
Load More Replies...
Adriana E. Henricy 8 years ago
Ok so, the guy is a child and the HR departmen is SUPER unprofessional. If the blood isnt on your chair, you dont have to feel uncomfortable about someone having her period, PLUS she didnt told him explicitly she was menstruation she just said "for the pain". Nice thought about maybe her needing time off bc of pain, but you ask her "do you need a pill or to go home? we can call HR and tell them if you are not feeling well today", thats just it. THATS IT. I cant really think what type of relationship he has with women.
Mike Miller 8 years ago
I'm an older male. I had a mother and two wives, I have two sisters, two daughters, and a daughter-in-law. I also have female friends, many of whom share their discomfort with me. What is the big deal with "Guy"? How can he be that terrified of a woman during her time of the month that he has to call HR? The medical issue here is non compos mentis on the part of the "Guy". I definitely this this is lawsuit material. But only because murder is illegal.
serena 8 years ago
Not just when confronted with an employee on their period but I have seen firsthand how pregnant women can be unfairly treated due to the fact that ignorance of the opposite sex poses a certain lack of sympathy from our male supervisors. My boss grew very impatient with my increasing need for time off for doctor's visits, even though I told him they would want to see me more frequently as my pregnancy got further along. When my doctor begged me to go on sick leave due to all the problems I was having, I refused for weeks because I was so afraid of pissing off my boss. I put my health at risk to appease my boss who simply did not have the patient or sympathy he should have had for a pregnant employee. When I finally did go on leave I was the happiest I have ever been. And we only get 6 weeks postpartum maternity leave. So when I called him to let him know I would be using my vacation time to have just one more week with my first child before handing her over to a babysitter,
serena 8 years ago
he said it was selfish not to think of my coworkers but to do what I wanted. My job is solitary and no one depends on me to relieve them in any way. My absence does not hurt anyone. What did hurt was I had full respect for this man before his reaction to my medical and emotional needs as a pregnant woman. No woman should be made to feel guilty for creating life.
Load More Replies...
Cassie 8 years ago
Did Guy actually realize she was on her period or did he assume she had some gastro issue and worried that she might be contagious? It sounds to me like this whole thing could just be a communication failure surrounded by faulty assumptions.
Rafaella Bueno 8 years ago
That's what I thought too, when I actually read the conversations. She never said it was for menstrual cramps, she just said "pain". Even the HR response doesn't really mention it, and while she does say "I explained exactly what happened" she again doesn't say whether she clearly mentioned her period to the HR lady. Everybody else's lines sound a lot like they think she's actually sick. Need more info to know what to really make of this.
Load More Replies...
Panda 8 years ago
I'm honestly more angry at the HR person (who is also a woman!), because she took his side. She should've told him to grow up and get over it.
BREAK YOUr perceptions 8 years ago
as a male. this is disgustingly stupid of that company. she wasn't exposing herself. she wasn't making it overtly obvious. and she didn't state anything clearly until an HR admin contacted her. its absolutely wrong how the company handled this and is an absolute ethics violation. (at least it would be in the US)
Max Alberts 3 years ago
So many of these comments, it turns out, are NOT from the U.S. and come from countries where women have no remedies.
Load More Replies... Petra Christovová 8 years ago
Honestly, this "Guy" person seems like a huge jerk having some serious problem with women. Generally there is lack of personal approach in work, I hate how someone has problem with colleague and instead of talking to the person, he/she just goes to the person´s boss or HR. This is quite unsettling, because something similar happened to me more times too and it seems that is it more of a norm than exception. I personally prefer to discuss anything with concerned person even when it is not pleasant, to do otherwise is just cowardly and immature imho.
Eva Tóthová 8 years ago
You know what? i think, that this story is about Daniel Losinger as he denies that story so much :D
Load More Replies... Sarah Maslowski 8 years ago
This 'Guy' person must have never seen a woman, or have a girlfriend... My job is mostly with men. And when I was feeling very bad because of my periods and my colleagues noticed it and asked me what was wrong, I honestly said : "Oh, sorry it's just... THAT time of the month". ALL were saying to me : " I understand. My wife/girlfriend has also a lot of problems and feels so much pain during her periods... " I was sooo surprised to see men paying attention so nicely to me... I never felt ashamed with them. Strangely, more with women...
Daria B 8 years ago
My closest new colleague got hers on the very first day of work. We went to the bathroom together and she was like "oh no!" I offered her a menstrual pad. I make sure to have some in my drawers and in my bag in case of emergencies.
Load More Replies... Adriana E. Henricy 8 years ago
Ok so, the guy is a child and the HR departmen is SUPER unprofessional. If the blood isnt on your chair, you dont have to feel uncomfortable about someone having her period, PLUS she didnt told him explicitly she was menstruation she just said "for the pain". Nice thought about maybe her needing time off bc of pain, but you ask her "do you need a pill or to go home? we can call HR and tell them if you are not feeling well today", thats just it. THATS IT. I cant really think what type of relationship he has with women.
Mike Miller 8 years ago
I'm an older male. I had a mother and two wives, I have two sisters, two daughters, and a daughter-in-law. I also have female friends, many of whom share their discomfort with me. What is the big deal with "Guy"? How can he be that terrified of a woman during her time of the month that he has to call HR? The medical issue here is non compos mentis on the part of the "Guy". I definitely this this is lawsuit material. But only because murder is illegal.
serena 8 years ago
Not just when confronted with an employee on their period but I have seen firsthand how pregnant women can be unfairly treated due to the fact that ignorance of the opposite sex poses a certain lack of sympathy from our male supervisors. My boss grew very impatient with my increasing need for time off for doctor's visits, even though I told him they would want to see me more frequently as my pregnancy got further along. When my doctor begged me to go on sick leave due to all the problems I was having, I refused for weeks because I was so afraid of pissing off my boss. I put my health at risk to appease my boss who simply did not have the patient or sympathy he should have had for a pregnant employee. When I finally did go on leave I was the happiest I have ever been. And we only get 6 weeks postpartum maternity leave. So when I called him to let him know I would be using my vacation time to have just one more week with my first child before handing her over to a babysitter,
serena 8 years ago
he said it was selfish not to think of my coworkers but to do what I wanted. My job is solitary and no one depends on me to relieve them in any way. My absence does not hurt anyone. What did hurt was I had full respect for this man before his reaction to my medical and emotional needs as a pregnant woman. No woman should be made to feel guilty for creating life.
Load More Replies... Cassie 8 years ago
Did Guy actually realize she was on her period or did he assume she had some gastro issue and worried that she might be contagious? It sounds to me like this whole thing could just be a communication failure surrounded by faulty assumptions.
Rafaella Bueno 8 years ago
That's what I thought too, when I actually read the conversations. She never said it was for menstrual cramps, she just said "pain". Even the HR response doesn't really mention it, and while she does say "I explained exactly what happened" she again doesn't say whether she clearly mentioned her period to the HR lady. Everybody else's lines sound a lot like they think she's actually sick. Need more info to know what to really make of this.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
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