East Midlands Railway (EMR) has now launched its new staff period dignity scheme, meaning that they now offer their employees free sanitary products.

The scheme aims to support employees who menstruate through providing more equality in the work place, giving them access to free products on all stations and buildings.

To deliver this scheme, East Midlands Railway is working with TOTM, who are an award winning period care brand who works with sustainable products.

The tampons, pads and liners are all made with certified organic cotton, meaning that the product materials are grown without toxic synthetic pesticides.

Aiming to reduce plastic, TOTM use biodegradable cardboard applicators instead of others made of plastic, which can take 100’s of years to decompose.

Charlotte Bishop is an Internal Communications Business Partner at EMR and is also the lead of the company’s Women’s Employee Network said: “EMR’s Women’s Employee Network was really passionate about this project and the suggestion to supply free period products at work came directly from our members. We wanted these to be consistently available to all staff, at all locations.

“Partnering with TOTM has allowed EMR to offer sustainable period products free-of-charge to any staff members that need them. Menstruation is a normal part of life, and providing these products makes our workplace a more inclusive space – small gestures like this can make a big difference in people’s wellbeing and comfort at work.”

Kate Holden, Human Resources Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Sadly, whilst periods are part of everyday life, some people can feel stigmatised by their effects or by the subject.

“This can mean that in the workplace periods are seldom discussed or catered for. As a result, menstruating employees can have their comfort and productivity disrupted at work, causing unnecessary stress or embarrassment. We want to address this issue directly and hope by launching this project we can help colleagues across our rail network easily access sanitary products.”

Sally Tuhami, Chief Operating Officer at TOTM said: “We’re excited that East Midlands Railway has signed up to our Period Dignity Workplace Scheme.

“It’s time to break the taboo surrounding menstruation and support menstrual wellbeing at work. Through this scheme, our certified organic cotton tampons and pads will be made freely available to employees to use when needed. It’s a period positive step forward and the change that we love to see at TOTM!”