We were pretty excited to hear this week that women in China will soon get a monthly allowance of leave days specifically for period pain.

Yep, rather than having to make up an excuse or mutter something about 'lady problems' when they're dying of cramps, employees in the Eastern Chinese province of Anhui will be granted one or two days off every month, if they show they have a history of tough period-related issues.

We do think it's something of an injustice that we're only officially allowed a 'sick day' in this part of the world when we're literally on death's door. After all, it's not always food poisoning or a case of the flu that has us wishing for a Get Out Of Work Free card.

Let's face it, some days you just need a bit of time out from the world.

With that in mind, here are a few occasions where we think a day off is TOTALLY justifiable, especially for us ladies. Listen up, employers.

1. When our period is generally making us feel like crap
It's not just cramps – it's the bloating, sluggishness and all round tiredness that comes with that time of the month. The cure? A day on the couch.

 

2. When we'd rather not speak to or look at ANYONE, thanks
PMS or just a standard 'I hate the world day'… Surely it's in our colleagues' best interests that we stay at home?

 

3. When our hair just won't do the thing, godammit
Either we're going to work wearing a wig or we're not going at all.

 

4. When we couldn't get to sleep until 5.30am
You know those nights when your brain just won't shut off? Disaster.

 

5. When it's just too cold to function
Who in their right mind would willingly abandon their cosy bed to venture out into THAT?

 

6. When Netflix drops a whole new season of OITNB
*cough* Sick day needed on June 17 *cough*

 

7. When the mirror is not being kind
'I can't come in, I'm having a fat day' = a totally acceptable excuse in our book

 

8. When one glass of wine turned into a bottle… and then some
We demand one official Weekday Hangover a year.

 

9. When you're definitely harbouring a cold, but could *probably* manage to get to work
Surely if you stayed at home today, you'd fight off that cold a whole lot faster. Who's with us on this?