Celebrating one year as a Period Dignity Employer

In my role as People & Culture Coordinator and Zoonou’s first Mental Health First Aider, the well being of our team is always my top priority. As a woman in this position, I know first-hand how something like a period can impact my working day.

I’m proud to work for a company that doesn’t just talk about change but actively takes action to make it happen. Over the past year, we’ve taken meaningful steps to commit to period dignity in the workplace, helping to create a more comfortable and inclusive environment for everyone at Zoonou.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 and this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a Period Dignity Employer, and the action we’re taking to support people who menstruate.

What is the Period Dignity scheme?

Period Dignity by Grace & Green is a nationwide movement that aims to everyone has access to free, sustainable period products, information, and the support they need to manage their periods and navigate menopause with confidence and comfort.

Through our partnership with Grace & Green, we’ve been able to access:

Free sustainable period products in all restrooms in our office
Discounts on period product subscriptions, one-off purchases, and lifestyle products
Free access to training and resources to support menstrual health and wellbeing

Why we became a Period Dignity Employer

As someone who menstruates, I know how unpredictable periods can be, and I’m not alone. 75% of people who menstruate are caught out by their period at least once a year, often while at work.

Periods should never be a cause for stress at work, and no one should have to worry about managing their period while doing their job. Ensuring access to necessary products, resources and support is a fundamental part of our commitment to employee wellbeing. By becoming a Period Dignity Employer, we’re working to break the stigma around menstruation, normalising conversations, and ensuring that everyone who menstruates feels supported at work.

Cass, our Marketing Director, told me:

‘As Zoonou’s (currently!) only female director, it’s important that I use my voice to elevate issues that matter to women, including periods, because these conversations are often overlooked and need to be normalised in professional spaces. By having these open discussions, it helps create a more inclusive environment that acknowledges the realities women face, leading to better support and understanding across our company.’

What it means to us

Menstrual health should be recognised as a fundamental right, not a privilege. Everyone who menstruates should be able to manage their periods with dignity and without stigma. Partnering with a company like Grace & Green is one of the steps we can take to ensure we’re creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for everyone.

I spoke to some of the team and asked them what being a Period Dignity Employer means to them:

‘I absolutely love to see that not only are people with periods being thought about and supported, but also that we’ve been given access to an option that is good for us and the environment! We don’t have to worry about any harmful ingredients, like we have seen reported from other big brand names, which is good for us and the planet.’

– Charlotte, Client Partner

‘Providing free, high quality period products in the office and a discount on those products online is a really nice way of supporting the women at the company and ensuring no one gets caught out if they don’t have anything with them whilst working in the office! The age old discussion of having to pay for these products in the first place is acknowledged and balanced nicely by our workplace providing these products for free.’

– Izi Kimble, Software Test Analyst

‘As a working mom, I often rush out the door over-equipped for my toddler but under-resourced for some of my more basic needs. Having Grace & Green products freely available to us in the office bathrooms eases my mental load and provides a clear signal that Zoonou values our well-being and understands our practical needs. These small things make a big impact on feeling supported and respected in the workplace.’

– Chloe Hampson, Client Services Team and Mental Health First Aider

Why we partnered with Grace & Green

Grace & Green is an entirely female-led company based in the UK, dedicated to sustainability and ethical business practices.

As the highest-scoring B Corp in organic period care, they align with our values of environmental responsibility and employee wellbeing. Their products are:

Plastic-free and biodegradable, reducing our environmental footprint
Made from 100% certified organic bamboo and cotton, ensuring purity and comfort
Hypoallergenic and toxin-free, promoting vaginal health and peace of mind

By offering safe, organic period products, we’re promoting sustainability, as well as prioritising the comfort, health and wellbeing of everyone in our team.