Yahoo Finance Store slammed for suggesting staff wear ‘period badges’
A Japanese department store has been met with ridicule after suggesting female staff wear “I’m menstruating” badges to work, in the hopes that it would promote staff bonding and normalise the monthly occurrence.
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The Michi Kake store in Osaka gave female employees the option to wear a badge featuring manga character 'Seiri Chan', which can be translated as 'Miss Period'.
The store sells female sexual and menstrual health products, with the scheme entirely voluntary, according to WWD Japan.
The store is also divided into four categories designed to correspondent with the different stages of the menstrual cycle.
“In Japan, there is a tendency for women’s sexuality and periods to be subjects ‘not to be mentioned,” store manager Takahiro Imazu said.
“Not all customers will react positively to [this shop], but the fem tech boom is growing, and the values of young people are changing with it.
“I might be going a little far in saying this, but I am excited for it to become a shop for solutions for women’s sensitive needs, and to be an asset to the marketplace.”
However, others haven’t been so excited.
"It’s all kinds of wrong when a women employee at one department store has to put on a ‘period badge’ when she has a period during work. You can just image people saying she must in a bad mood because of PMS. Makes me sick to my stomach," said Twitter user Lala.
It’s all kinds of wrong when a women employee at one department store has to put on a ‘period badge’ when she has a period during work. You can just image people saying she must in a bad mood because of PMS. Makes me sick to my stomach. Stupid move in 2019. #生理バッジ
— Lala (@Anna0720banana) November 25, 2019
“Just no. We don’t need a sodding badge,” added BBC journalist Emma Barnett.
Just no. We don’t need a sodding badge. https://t.co/KWaFWIQQqt
— Emma Barnett (@Emmabarnett) November 26, 2019
“I’m all for being open about/normalizing periods but asking your staff to wear a badge indicating you’re on your period?? Ridiculous. The inner workings of my uterus is no one’s business,” added user Grace Caron.
I’m all for being open about/normalizing periods but asking your staff to wear a badge indicating you’re on your period?? Redicukous. The inner workings of my uterus is no ones business.
— Grace Caron (@gracecaron) November 29, 2019
The store is now reassessing the campaign.
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