Starting today The Warehouse Group will offer free pads to its employees in an effort to enable period product accessibility in New Zealand.

The retailer, which employs 11,000 staff nationwide, will distribute free period pads in team member bathrooms across its stores, support office locations, and distribution centres. 

Nationally representative research conducted with the company’s charity partner, The Period Place, showed that a third of those surveyed had missed work or school due to lack of access to sanitary products, and 41% said they had experienced period poverty at some point in their life.

Tania Benyon, The Warehouse Group Chief Product Officer, said its commitment to period product access and period equity starts with its team.

“We know people can get caught out without products while at work, which can lead to feelings of unease, embarrassment and even shame. We hope that through providing period products in team bathrooms, we can help to eliminate any anxiety surrounding menstruation,” said Benyon.

“Our team should have the same access to period products in the workplace just as they would any other basic bathroom necessity.”