Employees of the city of Zurich who regularly have serious complaints could in the future be exempted from one to five days per month, with full payment. This demand was made by two Green councilors in the meeting on Wednesday. It is estimated that 25 to 35 percent of women are affected.
Postulant Anna-Béatrice Schmaltz (Greens) spoke of a feminist demand that has existed for many years. A pilot project should provide insight into whether this is an issue. It’s not about all women, so it’s not about portraying women in general as weak.
Susanne Brunner (SVP) accused the Greens of demanding a “protected workshop”. Women would be pushed into a victim role. Yasmine Bourgeois (FDP) called the advance unnecessary. Anyone who is in severe pain can take sick leave.
Men also commented on the topic. Patrick Hässig (GLP) wasn’t quite sure if he was allowed to do that. But he asked his colleagues about the topic, the nurse said. They would have reacted negatively. Josef Widler (center) thought the initiative was “not shampar feminist”. Employees are better protected today, they don’t have to say what illness is causing them to be absent.
Schmaltz replied that it was all about regular absences. “That’s remarkable,” she said. Municipal councilor Daniel Leupi (Greens) explains that he had already considered carrying out a pilot project in advance. However, older employees would have reacted negatively, younger ones positively.
With the introduction of menstrual leave, Zurich would not be an exotic place, Leupi said. There are also employers in the private sector who grant this. He said he was willing to start a pilot if he could find departments willing to participate.
The city council approved the postulate by a vote of 66 to 52.
(SDA)