Is paid menstrual leave a good idea?

Editor's note: Shanxi province is considering a draft regulation that grants female workers paid leave during menstruation. The draft, if approved by the provincial legislature, would make Shanxi the first area in the country to offer the benefit. Some countries have a paid menstrual leave policy. Do you think women should get such time off every month?

Sunnywang (China)

I've never considered taking a day off for mine, and never would. Asking your boss for sick day by telling him you have your period may be embarrassing.

Countrygirl (Japan)

This is ludicrous; it is hard enough to be a woman working especially in a field of mostly men. All this does is give coworkers and employers another reason to under pay, under value, and ridicule women as not being able to "carry their weight". Look at how Japanese society has used it to exclude women from so many careers. All it will do it utterly destroy any chances women have of succeeding in the workplace.

Mike (US)

Time off shouldn't be gender specific. This should be considered a SICK DAY. Any woman whose cycle is so painful should just use a sick day instead of a "special" day.

Adam (China)

Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem with it if they did get more time off than men. They menstruate, they bear children, and they typically do the lion's share of child care tasks. Men should show more support and understanding to women.

Carrie (US)

Taking a sick day if you're not feeling up to it at all is perfectly acceptable. We don't need to be 'assigned' days and we don't need to be treated 'differently' in the workplace just because we're women.

Catherine (Canada)

As a woman, I can state with absolute certainty that I have never taken a single day off for normal biological events, but that isn't the case for many women. If one cannot stand erect because of cramps that double one over, how productive would one be at work?

AussieGirl (Australia)

If a woman suffers from period related pain or PMT every month requiring up to three days absence from work, then she must get herself to a doctor. Doctors need to do more to help those suffering with this disease.

Megan (UK)

Some women suffer terribly each month and this would be a fantastic idea if it wasn't for the fact that it would make women completely unemployable.

Stick-to-the-facts （Switzerland）

That's ridiculous. As a woman I am never troubled by my period – it comes and goes each month with no issues, no drop in performance, no drama. Of course there are women out there who suffer terribly but that shouldn't warrant a blanket rule for all women. It should be on a case by case basis.

Pat (UK)

By all means give them menstrual leave if they don't feel like working but it should be unpaid leave and the choice should be theirs to make. No work no pay.