Initiative supports female workers
TLC Healthcare and Femmé Organic have partnered to offer free feminine hygiene products to employees.
With four in five of its staff members in mind, Victorian health, aged care and education provider TLC Healthcare is investing half a million dollars a year to make feminine hygiene products available across its sites for free.
In partnership with Australian company Femmé Organic, the initiative involves installing over 200 eco-friendly bathroom dispensers containing 100 per cent organic cotton and toxic-free tampons and sanitary pads in every female bathroom across the organisation’s network of 12 aged care homes, medical centres, early learning centres, health clubs, cafes, and head office.
TLC Healthcare chief executive officer and managing director Lou Pascuzzi said too many people faced barriers when it came to accessing the feminine products required to “fully participate” in work and daily life around menstruation.
“Pads and tampons are not luxuries – they are absolutely essential. So, we’re ensuring these products are available to our employees whenever they need them at work,” Mr Pascuzzi said.
“We know pressures from cost of living increases and the ability to access feminine hygiene products can impact people’s ability to attend work, and carry on with their daily lives. Which is why we are committed to providing these essential products to our employees and making it easy for them to do so.”
Mr Pascuzzi said that despite TLC Healthcare enjoying low levels of absenteeism at 2.7 per cent and a low turnover of 7.7 per cent, the company was investing $500,000 a year into the program to make life easier for its workers and better for all.
“By supporting 82 per cent of our overall workforce by making their periods a little gentler and kinder through Femmé Organic’s products, we’re also caring for the environment and the planet in a meaningful way.”
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