Ending a Workplace Taboo. Period. | Bex Baxter | TEDxBristol

The menstrual cycle has long been a taboo subject in societies around the world. This has resulted in a widespread culture of menstruating staff (otherwise known as women) being afraid of the consequences of being open about their menstrual symptoms and needs in the workplace, in case of being deemed weaker or less employable than non-menstruating employees.

Bex Baxter was working as People Development Manager of Bristol-based Coexist - a social enterprise, based on a philosophy of open-hearted and active engagement - when she pioneered a more respectful and open approach to periods. Bex suffered with dysmenorrhea for over 25 years, and had been witness to menstruating staff suffering significant physical discomfort at work during their menstrual cycle. This led her to develop a Menstrual policy for Coexist.

Her TEDx talk challenges taboos around menstruation, and shows how introducing a menstrual policy has provided a new permission field that allows women to let go of shame, and to instead honour their cycle.

"As a result we are finding women’s happiness and wellbeing has optimised, and their commitment and respect for the organisation increased."

This research process has never been done in history and is proof of how Menstrual Policy can change everyone’s relationship to women in the workplace.

This talk is from TEDxBristol 2017: Dare To Disrupt. In a world of constant change and uncertainty, these are the ‘positive disruptors’ ripping up the rule book to challenge received wisdom, demand better, and transform seemingly insurmountable problems into break-through possibilities and new beginnings.

From making a big splash on single-use plastics, to a global campaign to end unwanted hair-touching, or a revolutionary approach to combining robotics with human creativity, we hope you’ll enjoy and feel inspired by these talks.

Watch all our talks here https://tedxbristol.com/talks

Our talks were produced, filmed and edited by a brilliant team of talented volunteers and pro-bono partners:

Produced by:

Mel Rodrigues, Curator TEDxBristol
Daniel Edmund, Assistant Curator, TEDxBristol
Samuel Williams, Hodos Consultancy
Barney Grenfell, Hodos Consultancy

Filmed and edited by Floating Harbour Films:

Richard da Costa
Ben Scrase
Tom Young
Dan O’Connell
Gareth Croft

With camerawork and production support from:
Steve Webb
Giles Edwards
Bath Spa University

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx


Bex Baxter was working as People Development Manager of Bristol based Coexist - a a social enterprise, based on a philosophy of open hearted and active engagement - when she pioneered their a more respectful and open approach to periods.

Bex is also a singer, song-writer and multi-instrumentalist. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx