ROI Calculator: Workplace Period Support

This calculator estimates the productivity savings and return on investment from providing free period products in your workplace.

Fill in your organization's inputs below. Default values in the Calculation Inputs section are based on published research - you can choose to adjust any assumption to reflect your specific context. Click on the "Download Your Custom ROI Calculation" button to generate a PDF version of the calculator.

Your Organization's Inputs

Organization Name

Total Female Headcount ? Enter the total number of female employees at your organization.

Average Hourly Labor Rate ? Include salary plus benefits (total cost to employer). Update for a more accurate estimate. Default is $40/hr.

Dispenser Type ? Choose the dispenser type that best fits your workplace. Baskets are open countertop containers — lowest cost, no installation required. Simple Dispensers are basic wall-mounted units that hold a moderate quantity of products. Commercial Dispensers are high-capacity, wall-mounted units designed for busy restrooms, ADA compliant, and built for durability. Each selection sets the default cost per bathroom including installation, which you can still adjust manually in the Calculation Inputs section.

Baskets Simple Dispenser Commercial Dispensers

# of Bathrooms at Your Facility

Calculation Inputs

% in Menstruating Age Range ? 76% of female employees are of menstruating age (defined as ages 16–54). Source: BLS Labor Force Statistics, Current Population Survey.

Default: 76%

% Likely to Face a Period Emergency ? 86% of women have experienced an unexpected period in public without supplies. Source: Free the Tampons Foundation National Research Study, 2013.

Default: 86%

Time Lost Per Incident (hours) ? 0.33 hours (20 minutes) — Conservative estimate of time lost per incident, reflecting the average time an employee spends locating or obtaining period products, including asking a colleague or making a brief trip.

Default: 0.33 hrs (20 min)

Average Incidents Per Year ? This is an RMH Compass estimate based on a literature review. An incident is one where an employee must either ask a colleague, go to a store, or go home for supplies.

Default: 3

Annual Supply Cost Per Employee ? $6/year per employee for workplace menstrual products. Source: Free the Tampons Foundation Advocacy Toolkit for Workplaces.

Default: $6.00

Dispenser Cost Per Bathroom ? Figure represents average costs for the dispenser and for installation for each type of dispenser.

Default: $525.00

Your ROI Projection

ROI — Year 1

—

return on investment

(Productivity Saved − Year 1 Cost) ÷ Year 1 Cost × 100

ROI — Year 2+

—

return on investment

(Productivity Saved − Year 2+ Cost) ÷ Year 2+ Cost × 100

Other Impacts

Year 1

Year 1 Total Cost

—

supply + dispensers

(Headcount × Annual Supply Cost) + (# Bathrooms × Dispenser Cost)

Year 1 Productivity Value Saved

—

productivity recovered

Impacted Employees × Incidents/Yr × Hours Lost × Hourly Rate

Year 2+

Year 2+ Total Cost

—

supply only

Headcount × Annual Supply Cost

Year 2+ Productivity Value Saved

—

productivity recovered

Impacted Employees × Incidents/Yr × Hours Lost × Hourly Rate

Research-Backed Defaults

76% menstruating age (BLS)

86% face emergencies (Free the Tampons, 2013)

0.33 hrs lost per incident (20 min)

3× incidents per year

$6/yr supply cost per employee (Free the Tampons)

Calculator estimates are based on published research and industry benchmarks. Results are illustrative and may vary based on your workforce characteristics.

Get a copy of your results to share with your team.

Download Your Custom ROI Calculation

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