Nov 20, 2024

Large Aged Care Provider to Subsidise Personal Hygiene Products for Female Employees

TLC Healthcare is now offering 100% organic and toxic-free sanitary items for free. [iStock].

In a bold move that prioritises the health and well-being of its predominantly female workforce, TLC Healthcare has announced it will now fully subsidise 100% organic cotton, toxic-free tampons and pads for its employees across all locations and services, at no cost to them.

This initiative underscores TLC’s commitment to supporting its staff—particularly the 82% of its workforce who are female—across its wide-ranging operations, which include residential aged care homes, medical centres, early learning centres, health clubs, cafés, and training facilities.

This innovative move comes as part of TLC Healthcare’s partnership with Femmé Organic, a forward-thinking Australian company that provides environmentally friendly, organic feminine hygiene products.

The new initiative means that all TLC staff bathrooms will be fitted with over 200 eco-friendly dispensers containing these essential products. Employees are encouraged to take what they need, without charge.

The program extends beyond just the workplace. Female members of TLC’s commercial Health Clubs will also have access to free sanitary products in their changerooms, ensuring that women who frequent these spaces are equally supported.

As TLC CEO and Managing Director Lou Pascuzzi remarked in the press release, “While others argue about whether GST should be applicable to feminine hygiene products, we believe the argument should be whether women should have to pay for their feminine hygiene products at all.”

This sentiment highlights the rationale behind the initiative: menstruation is a completely natural process, and yet many individuals face barriers to accessing the products they need to fully participate in work and daily life.

“Pads and tampons are not luxuries – they are absolutely essential,” Pascuzzi continued. “So we’re ensuring these products are available to our employees whenever they need them at work.”

This move also recognises the increasing financial pressures many women face due to the cost of living. By providing free access to menstrual products, TLC is removing one of the obstacles that can impact an individual’s ability to attend work or carry on with their daily responsibilities.

Notably, the investment TLC Healthcare is making in its employees goes beyond just menstrual products. The company has committed $500,000 annually to this programme, which forms part of a wider benefits package aimed at improving employee well-being.

This investment is already yielding positive results. TLC boasts the lowest levels of absenteeism in the aged care industry at just 2.7%, alongside an industry-low turnover rate of 7.7%.

Femmé Organic’s data further reinforces the impact of such a program. According to their research, one in five women miss work due to menstruation, and 86% of people have been unprepared for their period while at work.

Additionally, 73% of Australians believe workplaces should provide free period products. By providing organic, toxic-free products, TLC is not only supporting its staff but also contributing to environmental sustainability.

The initiative further reinforces TLC’s reputation as an employer of choice, having won the Employer of Choice Award from the Australian Business Association for nine consecutive years. By prioritising employee well-being in this tangible way, TLC sets a strong example for others in the industry to follow, showing that employee support goes beyond the traditional workplace benefits.

TLC’s new initiative not only addresses a critical need for many of its employees, but also sets a high standard for forward-thinking employers across the country. By removing barriers to access and offering this essential service free of charge, TLC Healthcare proves once again that they care deeply for their staff—ensuring their health, comfort, and dignity come first.

For more information about Femmé Organic, visit www.femmeorganic.com.

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