// ISawItFirst offers workers half a day of paid leave for their smear test appointments
// The online retailer aims to coincide the initiative with Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
ISawItFirst has announced it is offering employees half a day of paid leave in an effort to allow them to attend their smear test appointments.
The online retailer aims to coincide the initiative with Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17 – 23 January 2022).
Smear tests prevent around 75% of cancers from starting, as they identify people who are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, according to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s data.
READ MORE: Isawitfirst pledges to absorb added fees for Irish shoppers
A new survey by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust found that 1 in 5 people with a cervix would use annual leave, take a sick day, or even take unpaid time off to get their smear test.
ISawItFirst said it will ask employees to show HR the invitation to get their smear test, and the company will then arrange paid leave to attend the appointment.
The retailer hopes this will encourage its employees to get their cervical screenings without worrying about being able to fit it around their work schedule or having to use up their annual leave for what can be a life-saving appointment.
“Cervical screening is the best protection against cervical cancer, at ISawItFirst we understand the importance of attending these routine screenings and hope providing extra paid leave will give employees the time and confidence to go to these potentially life-saving appointments,” ISawItFirst’s HR department said.
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