CD Projekt Red, the studio behind the Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher series, has announced that it will be giving employees menstrual leave to experience menstrual-related pain. The company announced the new policy on March 30 through Twitterwrite:
“We’re proud to offer employees menstrual leave! Now, team members can focus on their comfort and well-being by taking time off when they have menstrual cramps. All both for inclusion and promoting a supportive workplace.”
The policy comes after CD Projekt Red’s sister company, GOG, introduced the benefit last year. According to Ola Sondej, public relations representative for CD Projekt Red, the studio has spent the past few months observing GOG’s experience with the policy before deciding to follow its steps. Sondej said the group ultimately found benefits promoting “an environment where team members who are menstruating can feel more comfortable and supported to reach their individual potential.” Additionally, the benefits represent “one more step in creating an inclusive work environment.”
According to Sondej, the policy will go into effect on April 1 and allow employees to take as much time off as they want – whether it’s a few hours or a full day. Additionally, period time off will be fully paid, ensuring employees don’t feel pressured to work during painful periods or the financial burden of taking time off work. However, Sondej said the most positive effect of the benefit is most likely the benefit to the morale of the development team.
“I think the biggest impact doesn’t come from you being able to take a day off when you’re not feeling well – it comes from you working at a place that actually realizes this problem exists. I feel more confident,” Sondej said.
Sondej added that non-menstrual CD Projekt Red employees are also enthusiastic about the policy, saying the response has been “positive” and that she feels “supported and encouraged by her team members.” dance”.
The Progressive Policy has also gained a lot of support online and represents a positive change in the workplace culture of CD Projekt Red. Back in 2020, the company was fired after CD Projekt Red studio head Adam Badowski defended the studio as it entered a forced crisis leading up to the release of Cyberpunk 2077. Since then, however, the company has made strides to become more employee-friendly, publicly promise The Witcher 4 won’t use crisis methods during development and is currently implementing an inclusive policy during menstrual leave. According to Sondej, since starting to work at the studio late last year, she has felt “planned and catered for”, as well as impressed by the studio’s focus on diversity and offering to customers. employees have the right tools to report any misconduct.
“We [get] many attractive perks: We can bring dogs to the office, we often hold skill development workshops, [and] Sondej said. “For those in need, we also facilitate psychological help. I know it sounds cheesy, but–despite being new–I really feel at home. I I also feel like I can speak up here, which is great.”
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