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India’s leading engineering company, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has announced a progressive initiative for its women employees. On International Women’s Day, L&T Chairman and Managing Director S. N. Subramanian declared that all women employees of the parent company would receive one-day paid menstrual leave every month. This policy aims to support and provide relief to approximately 5,000 women employees within the organization.
Policy Implementation and Scope
According to company sources, the exact implementation plan for the menstrual leave policy will be finalized soon by the concerned authorities. However, it was clarified that this policy only applies to the parent company L&T and does not extend to its subsidiary companies operating in financial services or technology sectors.
L&T employs around 60,000 people, out of which 9% (approximately 5,000 employees) are women. This initiative is a significant step in addressing workplace inclusivity and employee well-being.
Other Companies and States with Menstrual Leave Policies
Before L&T’s announcement, Swiggy and Zomato had already implemented menstrual leave policies for their women employees. However, most major corporate entities in India have not yet introduced similar measures.
Apart from corporate policies, four Indian states—Bihar, Odisha, Sikkim, and Kerala—have officially granted menstrual leave to women employees working in government sectors. In 2023, the Supreme Court suggested that the central government draft a national policy addressing menstrual leave.
A Step Towards Workplace Inclusivity
L&T’s menstrual leave policy is a progressive step that aligns with global discussions on women’s health, workplace equality, and employee rights. With more companies recognizing the need for such initiatives, this move could encourage other corporate giants to implement similar policies in the future.
