Some cultures consider(ed?) the women unclean or cursed during this 'period' of time, and all in their vicinity. Some cultures had the women go live in separate huts for the duration[1]. It could very well be that custom dictated that he not show up to work during this time because he was also considered unclean. Note that he also missed time when his daughter was bleeding. Only speculation, but it's not a stretch to assume that there was social norms dictating how women interacted with society during menstruation, and by extension members of their household.

sauce:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_and_menstruation#By_re...