The Co-Operative Bank has introduced free period products to its UK sites in order to break down the stigma that surrounds periods.
As part of a new partnership with sustainable period product business Grace and Green, employees at the bank will be able to access free period products throughout all its UK branches.
All the period products provided are environmentally friendly and either recyclable or biodegradable in line with the bank’s ethical policy. As it celebrated 150 years of ethical banking this year, its aim with this initiative is to try to operate in ways that minimise environmental harm and bring period dignity to all.
Sophie McHale, head of the Gender Inclusion Network at The Co-operative Bank, said: “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Grace and Green to provide free, sustainable period products for our colleagues. We believe our colleagues should have access to period products without shame or stigma. In providing these products, we hope to help improve accessibility and remove anxieties around periods at work.”
The Co-operative Bank’s employee benefits include a pension scheme, a car allowance depending on seniority, a real living wage rate as a minimum, payroll giving schemes, emergency leave, 27 days of annual leave that rises to 30 after three years, two paid volunteer days, unpaid extended leave, flexible working, shared parental leave, and a parental mentoring scheme.
It also offers 16 weeks of paid primary carers’ leave for maternity and adoption, four weeks of paid leave for paternity and secondary carers, five days’ paid leave to undertake foster carer training, up to three occasions of five days paid leave in a 12-month period to undergo IVF or fertility treatment, an employee assistance programme, eyecare vouchers, retailer and services discounts, access to a remote GP service, mental health support and physiotherapy through an app, life cover and income protection.