Larsen and Toubro is back in news, but this time for the right reasons. The company’s chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, faced severe backlash a few months ago for endorsing the 90-hour work week culture. However, netizens are now hailing his latest move as on Thursday, he announced a one-day menstrual leave for the women employees.
The leave is only applicable for women employees of the parent company, L&T, and not to its subsidiaries in financial services or technology.
ALSO READAfter 90-hour work week backlash, L&T’s Subrahmanyan announces 1-day menstrual leave for woman employees
L&T has around 60,000 employees, including women employees who are around 5,000 or 9% of the workforce. These are the women who will benefit from this new policy.
This move comes just weeks after Subrahmanyan faced criticism for encouraging employees to work 90 hours a week and not “stare at their wives.” The company later defended the comments, saying they were in line with its goal of contributing to the nation’s development.
Other companies like Swiggy and Zomato have introduced similar menstrual leave policies, but major businesses have not yet followed suit.
Social media abuzz over L&T’s period leave policy
The social media was abuzz with reactions as L&T announced the period leave policy. One user wrote, “L&T introduces 1-Day menstrual leave per month. A welcome move. I think other corporates should follow. If you think people should work 90 hrs a week, ladies should be empowered.”
ALSO READLarsen & Toubro Chairman faces backlash over 90-hour workweek remarks; Industry reacts
Another user wrote, “This is a huge win for gender parity at the workspace. And kudos to Larsen & Toubro and Chairman SN Subrahmanyan for taking this massive step towards progressive policies in corporate India. Menstrual leave must be mandatory.”
Giving a contrasting and an apprehensive view point, a user on X said, “Hope he doesn’t expect women employees to compensate menstrual leave later or following week…”
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