Managing your period can be tricky at the best of times, let alone when you’re juggling the workday around sneaking off to the loo to change your product or worrying about leaking through your clothes. Half the workforce have periods, they’re completely normal and no one should feel this way at work. Providing period products in the workplace is more than a practical gesture. It’s a powerful act of care that supports gender inclusivity, accessibility, wellbeing and menstrual equity.
No matter who is in your team, easy access to period products helps everyone feel valued, supported and starts important conversations. With more organisations prioritising sustainability, stocking eco-friendly pads and tampons is becoming an essential part of responsible workplace culture.
So, where should you put period products in the office and how can you do it in a way that’s discreet, dignified and accessible for all?
Here’s your complete guide.
Why offering period products at work matters
Supporting all who menstruate
Not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman. Many trans men, non-binary people and gender-diverse employees also need access to period products. Plus, not all women have a period. If products are only stocked in “women’s bathrooms,” this can exclude or ‘out’ employees who may not feel safe or comfortable entering gendered spaces.
Placing period products across multiple locations is one of the simplest ways to make your office more inclusive.
Reducing stress, stigma and interrupted workdays
Most of us have experienced the panic of an unexpected period at work. Without easy access to products, employees may:
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Leave work early, call in sick or not come in at all
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Improvise with unsuitable substitutes
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Borrow products from colleagues
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Experience stress, discomfort or embarrassment
Availability of pads and tampons can genuinely transform someone’s day.
Promoting fairness and wellbeing
Offering period products is an important step towards menstrual equity, ensuring no one is disadvantaged or forced to use products they can’t afford or access. It aligns with modern wellbeing, sustainability and DEI goals and signals clearly that your workplace values dignity.
For more information on how to create a period-positive work environment, see our guide for top tips and easy switches to make sure everyone is cared for at work.
Where should period products be placed in the office?
Below are the most inclusive, accessible and discreet places to stock period products - chosen with all menstruators in mind.
In every bathroom
To create a workplace that truly understands menstruation:
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Stock products in women’s and gender-neutral bathrooms. This ensures trans men and non-binary people can access what they need without entering a space that doesn’t align with their identity
Place products in a clear spot such as:
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inside a storage tin near in a clear and open space
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in an open dispenser easy to access for all
Avoid overly gendered signage or packaging.
In accessible bathrooms
People who menstruate with disabilities often face additional barriers. These might include limited mobility, dexterity challenges or difficulty reaching high shelves or tight storage spaces.
Ensure products are:
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Placed within comfortable reach from a seated position
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In easy-open dispensers
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Stored on lower shelves rather than countertops
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Available in multiple product types (pads, tampons, reusables), as different disabilities require different solutions
Small placement decisions make a big difference.
In wellness rooms or quiet rooms
Wellbeing spaces are ideal for employees who prefer extra discretion, including:
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Trans men or non-binary employees who may feel uncomfortable taking products from public bathrooms
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Colleagues experiencing pain, heavy bleeding or sensory overload
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Disabled employees who may need a private, calm environment to manage their cycle
A small cabinet or drawer stocked with supplies provides both privacy and dignity.
Avoid storing products behind desks or in locked cupboards
Employees should never have to:
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Ask for access - period care shouldn’t be an afterthought
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Request products from a receptionist - there is no dignity in asking for ‘the red box’ or asking for a made-up member of staff when we mean period products
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Unlock a cupboard - making products inaccessible furthers shame and stigma
Menstrual care should be as accessible as hand soap or toilet paper.
What types of period products should offices provide?
Offer a range to suit different bodies and preferences
Every body and every cycle is different. To support diverse needs, stock a mix of:
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Organic cotton tampons (applicator & non-applicator)
Access to purchasing:
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Period pants, especially helpful for those with disabilities or sensory sensitivities
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Menstrual cups, ideal for employees wanting a zero-waste option
Storage is also something to consider, period products need to be accessible: easy to grab, easy to see and easy to replace.
Our Period Dignity scheme offers employees a personal discount to use outside of work - making sustainable period products even more accessible.Plus, we have a range of tins and vending units to suit every space.
Choose sustainable products wherever possible
Eco-friendly products show commitment to both employee health and your organisation’s environmental goals
Grace & Green products avoid unnecessary chemicals, reduce waste and support a more sustainable and safe workplace.
How to present period products
Use refillable tins or dispensers
Keep products:
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Easy to see
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Easy to grab
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Easy to replace
Our products make it simple, with period products that meet the eye and storage solutions that make products easy to see and access.
Add simple, stigma-free signage
A small note such as:
“Free period products - please take what you need.”
This normalises the experience and reassures employees that using them is encouraged and judgment-free. As part of our Period Dignity scheme, we support organisations with posters and collateral to share team-wide, making the transition to dignity as easy as possible for you.
Keep supplies regularly restocked
Assign a responsible person - just as you would for soap or hand towels - so employees never encounter an empty vend or tin.
Creating a workplace culture that supports menstruators
Normalise conversations around periods
Inclusive policies and wellbeing guides help shift the narrative from awkward to empowered.
Include period products within DEI strategies
Menstruation intersects with gender identity, disability, economic inequality and health - making it a key wellbeing issue.
Invite staff feedback
Ask menstruating employees how placement can be improved. This ensures your period care approach evolves with genuine community needs.
The impact of thoughtful period product placement
When period products are placed with intention, the workplace becomes:
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more inclusive
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more accessible
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more sustainable
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more equitable
Small changes in placement and product choice create a big impact on wellbeing and belonging.
Supporting menstruators shouldn’t be exceptional - it should be standard.
With eco-friendly solutions from Grace & Green, caring for your people and the planet goes hand in hand. Our Period Dignity scheme makes it simple, from ordering to educating, we’ve got your workplace covered. For more information on how we can support your organisation visit our website.
