Larsen & Toubro Ltd., one of India's leading engineering and infrastructure giants, has introduced a one-day paid menstrual leave for its women employees. This initiative, announced to mark International Women's Day, is a significant step towards workplace inclusivity.
Announcing the move at a company event, L&T's Chairman and Managing Director S N Subrahmanyan said that the finer details of the policy will be worked out soon.
This move follows recent controversy surrounding Subrahmanyan's remarks on employees working 90-hour weeks, which had sparked widespread debate.
While L&T is among the latest corporate houses to adopt menstrual leave, several companies in India have already implemented similar policies.
Here's a look at some of them:
Indian Companies Offering Paid Menstrual Leave
Orient Electric: Part of the CK Birla Group, Orient Electric introduced menstrual leave in 2022, reinforcing its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
AU Small Finance Bank: Since 2022, AU Small Finance Bank has offered one day of additional paid leave per month, under its menstrual leave policy in addition to the usual paid leaves.
Swiggy: The food delivery giant introduced a two-day paid menstrual leave policy in 2021 for its female delivery partners. Women availing this leave remain eligible for the company's minimum earnings guarantee.
Zomato: The Gurugram-based food tech company provides 10 days of paid menstrual leave annually, ensuring better work-life balance for its female employees.
Byju's: In 2021, the edtech firm implemented a policy allowing up to 12 paid period leaves annually for its women employees.
Gozoop: Gozoop introduced paid period leave in 2017. Women employees are granted one additional paid work-from-home day per month.
Scaler: Scaler provides 12 days of menstrual leave per year to both women and transgender employees.
Seclore: Understanding the challenges faced during menstruation, Seclore offers 10 days of paid period leave annually to its women employees.
Horses Stable News: The Bengaluru-based startup provides two days of paid leave every month for its female employees during their menstrual cycle.
Mathrubhumi News Television Channel: This Malayalam news channel has been offering a one-day menstrual leave since July 2017.
Culture Machine: The Mumbai-based digital media startup introduced a one-day paid period leave in 2017 for its women employees.
Wet And Dry: A New Delhi-based firm specialising in feminine hygiene products, Wet And Dry provides two days of menstrual leave with an option to work from home.
Magzter: The Chennai-based digital magazine platform introduced a one-day paid menstrual leave per month in July 2017.
IndustryARC: The Hyderabad-based consulting and research firm allows one or two days of paid menstrual leave for menstruating employees.
Menstrual leave is not limited to the corporate world. Four Indian states — Bihar, Odisha, Sikkim and Kerala — have provisions for government employees to avail such leave.
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