L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan announces one-day menstrual leave for women, pushes for workplace inclusivity

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in a major progressive step, has introduced a one-day menstrual leave policy for its women employees, making it one of the first companies in the engineering and construction sector to implement such a measure.

The announcement was made by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who stated that the leave would be available to women employees across the parent group.

L&T’s move to introduce menstrual leave aligns with broader efforts in India to provide better workplace support for women.

According to the company, in its ‘Lakshya 2026’ plan, it had taken up the task of targeting 10% diversity in its workforce. And the present move is a step forward in that regard.

“L&T in its Lakshya 2026 plan had taken up a target of 10% diversity. Today approximately 9% are women employees out of an employee base of approximately 60,000. It is estimated that 5,000 women will stand to benefit from this industry-first policy,” the company spokesperson told Fortune India.

The company also pointed out that because L&T operates in the construction and engineering sector, the nature of work can be physically demanding. This challenge becomes even more pronounced for women during menstruation. The introduction of a menstrual leave policy, therefore, aims to create a more supportive and inclusive work environment.

By acknowledging the physiological needs of its female workforce, L&T seeks to improve employee well-being, enhance productivity, and set a precedent for the industry. The company hopes this initiative will encourage more organisations in similar sectors to adopt policies that prioritise health and inclusivity in the workplace.

Such policies and measures have also received support from the government, from time to time.

In August 2024, for example, Odisha became the first state in India to implement a one-day menstrual leave policy for women working in both government and private sectors.

Not only government, but several private firms have also adopted similar policies in recent years. Zomato, for instance, has been offering up to 10 days of paid menstrual leave annually since 2020, while Swiggy has also implemented a menstrual leave policy, though details remain limited.

However, the question of menstrual leave is also a point of active ongoing debate, not just in India but globally.

Advocates argue that such initiatives acknowledge biological realities and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment. They believe that recognising menstrual health in workplace policies can lead to better employee productivity and morale.

On the other hand, critics have raised concerns that menstrual leave could unintentionally reinforce gender-based biases, potentially affecting hiring decisions or career progression for women in male-dominated industries.

L&T’s decision is expected to add to the ongoing debate on balancing employee welfare with organisational policies in India’s corporate sector.

With an increasing number of companies and state governments considering similar measures, the L&T’s move could signal a broader shift towards workplace policies that prioritise employee well-being while addressing practical challenges faced by women in the workforce.