Larsen & Toubro, a prominent engineering company, has introduced a one-day paid menstrual leave for its female staff at the headquarters. This policy benefits approximately 5,000 women and was announced by Chairman and Managing Director S N Subrahmanyan during an International Women’s Day event. The specifics of how this policy will be executed are still being worked out by the company’s leadership.

Policy Scope and Workforce Statistics

The new leave policy is exclusive to L&T’s parent company employees and does not cover its subsidiaries in financial services or technology sectors. L&T employs around 60,000 people, with women making up 9% of the workforce. This initiative places L&T alongside other Indian companies like Swiggy and Zomato that have adopted similar policies.

Subrahmanyan’s past remarks have stirred controversy. In early 2025, he suggested a 90-hour workweek and lamented the inability to have employees work on Sundays. His comments included a contentious remark about “staring at your wife,” which led to widespread criticism and discussions on work-life balance.

Challenges in Workforce Mobility

In addition to the workweek debate, Subrahmanyan recently highlighted challenges related to workers’ reluctance to relocate for jobs. He attributed this hesitance to government welfare schemes, a statement criticised as “misleading, insulting, and demoralising” to India’s diligent labour force.

Menstrual leave policies are gaining momentum across India. Odisha was the first state to introduce such a policy in August 2024 for both government and private sectors. Karnataka is also considering a draft bill proposing six days of paid menstrual leave annually for women in both public and private sectors, along with free menstrual health products.

This move by L&T reflects a growing trend towards recognising women’s health needs in the workplace. As more companies adopt similar policies, it highlights an increasing awareness of gender-specific issues within corporate environments.