L&T chief introduces menstrual leave policy, after ’90 hrs’ comment
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Hyderabad: Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a leading engineering and construction company, has implemented a new policy that allows female employees to take one day of paid menstruation leave each month. This decision will benefit approximately 5,000 female employees at its headquarters.
S N Subrahmanyan, the chairman and managing director made the announcement during an event held to mark International Women’s Day, Siasat Daily reported.
While the company is currently refining the details of how the policy will be applied, it signals a progressive step towards establishing a more inclusive workplace.
Women make up 9% of L&T's total workforce
L&T employs 60,000 people, with women making up approximately 9% of the company's workforce. The leave policy is only applicable to employees of the parent company, L&T, and does not extend to its subsidiaries operating in the financial services or technology sectors.
This move puts L&T in line with companies like Swiggy and Zomato, which have already implemented similar menstrual leave policies in India.
L&T chief's remarks regarding working hours sparkes debate
He criticised the inability to force workers to work on Sundays and argued for a 90-hour workweek at the beginning of 2025.
His comments, which included the contentious remark about "staring at your wife," sparked intense criticism and conversations about work-life balance in Indian corporations.
Furthermore, Subrahmanyan came under fire for associating government welfare programs with workers' reluctance to relocate for employment. The remarks were criticised as being misleading and demoralizing to India’s workforce.