As reported by the Associated Newspapers website in Europe, MailOnline, a study conducted by a workers' union came back with the finding that many businesses are concerned with decreased productivity due to excessive bathroom usage. The study went on to reveal that some businesses instituted keycards and sign-in sheets to monitor the frequency of employee trips to the restroom. However, the most shocking part is the red bracelet. You've heard of the Scarlet Letter? Well, this is just as horrifying.
Women at a business in Norway were told to wear a red bracelet when they started their periods. Therefore, explaining their excessive visits to the restroom. Can you imagine? As a woman, I'd find it horrifying to announce such an intimate part of my life to all my co-workers. If I were a man, I'd feel insanely uncomfortable in a staff meeting with many of my colleagues branded in red. Talk about awkward! Not to mention that no woman would be taken seriously during her red bracelet days. Her decisions being questioned or her actions being dismissed due to her "condition".
The bracelet matter is currently under review by the Norwegian government, but I find it incredible that this happened in the first place.
Today's free business tip: Don't demean your employees. That is what decreases productivity; not trips to the bathroom.
* Hat tip to Marion Swan as I saw this story in her Twitter stream.
I can't believe this is for real. How humiliating!
ReplyDeleteTrish: I did a search to verify the story or see if I could find anything that said it was a hoax. I found many, many European news stories on the incident and no indication that it was untrue.
ReplyDeleteGuess it's safe to say that the human resources area has lots of opportunity for growth in Norway, huh?
Great piece, Amber. That's just sad.
ReplyDeleteHey Claudia, thanks for stopping by! Always nice when one of my favorite foodie vloggers takes time away from the kitchen to chime in on something here!
ReplyDeleteThis story makes you realize we take things for granted in the states sometimes, huh? Not all countries have the same protections in place.
My pleasure, Amber! Aw, you're too sweet.
ReplyDeleteYep, that kind of abuse should not be tolerated, period.
This is discrimination. No two ways about it. Thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine? I mean really imagine? Who in their right mind could think that's alright to do????
ReplyDeleteThis is how it starts.... check out this cartoon:
ReplyDeletehttp://bit.ly/h00udp
Now imagine if that female cartoonist was sporting a red bracelet!
ReplyDeleteNow imagine if that female cartoonist was sporting a red bracelet!
ReplyDeleteUgh. It even shocks me more that the women agreed to it. Employers of the Neanderthal age.
ReplyDeleteI have a colleague who was written up at her last job for going to the bathroom more than twice in one day. When she interviewed for her now job, she asked me how many times people are allowed to use the bathroom. As someone who drinks a gallon of water a day, I said I ccouldn't imagine using it less than once an hour.
ReplyDeleteI have a colleague who was written up at her last job for going to the bathroom more than twice in one day. When she interviewed for her now job, she asked me how many times people are allowed to use the bathroom. As someone who drinks a gallon of water a day, I said I ccouldn't imagine using it less than once an hour.
ReplyDeleteWow. Written up? What a thing to have in your file!
ReplyDeleteIf you drink the amount of water that is recommended, we'd all be in the bathroom a lot. God forbid you have a bladder infection or something else that affects your urinary cycle. (Ha! I never thought I'd write the words "urinary cycle" on my blog!)
Thanks for sharing your personal experience on this rather unique subject, Gini. I'm sure your new employee found it awkward to ask you such a question, but I suppose she's lucky that you drink so much water!
I wrote this on the plane and left out the concluding sentence which is...I would have to wear a red bracelet every day! :)
ReplyDeleteThe survey, nor the government, would reveal information about the company in question. Although, I would never ever agree to such a thing, I'm sure the kind of company, education-level of the women, and specific region all might come into play.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if it's an area where women are in more passive roles and it wasn't within their comfort level to object. Even within the U.S., I find it interesting that women still hold very different positions within society.
Living in Los Angeles, I tend to think everywhere is progressive. However, when I visit other states, I'm sometimes shocked at women's roles; it's like going back to the 1950s.
I suppose a person could be hired to do color coding for urinary habits. Red for menstruation, blue for excessive water drinking, yellow for infections, orange for boredom. Look at me! I just created a new job and thereby stimulated the economy ;-)
ReplyDeleteOMG! You just made Diet Coke come out my nose!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Then my work here is done...
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable. I don't even know what to say. I have a hard enough time getting people to take me seriously when I'm not on my period. ;-)
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine disagreeing with someone and you wearing a red bracelet? Think anyone would take your side? Hardly, being an irrational women who is afflicted with her womanly issues and all. Can you even imagine? What a nightmare!
ReplyDeleteI would just wear that bracelet all the time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wouldn't mind so much if menstruation was imbued with a bit of ritual, respect, and appreciation for women, instead of the oh-gross-hide-the-women, hide the excruciating pain that some of us have to experience.
Ohhhh, steps in the wrong direction!!
Ohhhh, that's a good fake out, Katana! I like it!
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, the stigma is so archaic. It's the 21st century. Shouldn't we all be passed the stereotypes associated with this very normal body function? My goodness! Downright silly, I tell ya!
What about that? I remembered this post when I read it: German bosses can order female workers to wear bras, and even dictate the length of their fingernails, a court has ruled. http://goo.gl/jO1uK Hallo? Deutschland? Einigkeit und recht und freiheit? (Unity and justice and freedom). That's what their National Anthem says :-I
ReplyDeleteInteresting article. Thanks for sharing it, Sinan.
ReplyDeleteI can't honestly say I object to the bra thing. Women who are bouncing around everywhere can be quite an unprofessional distraction. I'm a woman and I notice excessive jiggling, drooping, and prominent nipples, so I can only imagine how it might pre-occupy a man ;-)
I think requiring a clean cut appearance, depending on the job of course, is something an employer has the right to expect. Calling out privatebodilyy fucntions is where I think line has to be drewn. . . ,