Starbucks to give free period products to UK staff

The coffee chain is partnering with sustainable period care brand TOTM - Time Of The Month - whose mission is to break down the stigma and shame that surrounds periods.

Research conducted by TOTM found that 80% of women and people with periods say they worry about it at work and 76% say they find their period disruptive to their working day, with over 64% saying they do not feel comfortable talking about their period in work.

Read more: Aldi to create 6,000 jobs across the UK

Holly Clarke, Chair of Starbucks Women’s Impact Network EMEA, said: “The difference that providing free sanitary products can make to our partner’s experience at work is staggering, helping to improve accessibility for all and remove anxieties we know many people face around periods, especially when at work.

“The idea to partner with TOTM was born from a team of seven members of the Women’s Impact Network, a group of 140 partners who aim to empower women to find their own version of success and feel confident in their workplace. We’d love to see others in the industry take a similar stance and work towards eradicating period poverty across the UK.”

Read more: Pay us more, or let us work from home, employees tell bosses
 

Ruby Parmar, Chair of TOTM, said: “We’re so excited to be partnering with Starbucks, a move that supports our mission to champion menstrual wellbeing, comfort and dignity. 

“A crucial part of what we do, TOTM’s Workplace Scheme has been helping businesses offer employees ethical and sustainable period care for 3 years. We really hope this move by Starbucks will inspire other companies to be bold and do the same.”

Read more: Royal Mail workers vote overwhelmingly to strike

ActionAid UK Spokesperson said: “We are delighted to see that more private companies are providing free and accessible period products for staff members who menstruate. 

"ActionAid UK research showed us that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting women’s ability to manage their periods with 12% of women struggling to afford sanitary products for themselves or a dependant in the last 6 months.

"Our research also revealed that a quarter (26%) of UK women have faced ‘period shaming’, and millions of women have missed exercise, education and work over the last year when they are on their period. Free period products in the work place helps to reduce the risk of this and we will continue to advocate for period products to be available in all public spaces.”