India has a large population of women who go to work, leaving the comfort of their homes. Out of these, on any given day, a sizeable number of women are on their periods too. Though it affects every woman differently, cramps, bleeding and related nausea, aches and even depression can take a toll on a woman’s body thereby affecting their work.
Though its not new for companies to introduce period leave for women, its importance and acceptance has just gained momentum, with Zomato being in news recently, for introducing upto 10 days of paid period leave annually to its female employees
Going forward, women at Zomato can avail up to 10 period leaves in a year. This also applies to transgender people working at Zomato.💁♀
Read more here – https://t.co/GmP5rLkaNL pic.twitter.com/5f8z9xP5zk
— zomato (@zomato) August 8, 2020
Lets see a few companies that are prioritizing female employees comfort by introducing different policies around menstruation.
1. Culture Machine
One of the first companies to offer paid menstrual leave, the company allows its employees’ first day of period as an off. The company has also been petitioning to different ministries to follow this First Day of Period Off, in a bid to normalize menstrual leave.
2. Mathrubhumi
Female employees at this Kerala media giant can opt for casual or medical leave on their first day of period, thereby increasing productivity.
3. Magzter
Digital media magazine platform Magzter has been offering its employees an optional one day paid leave every month, that can be taken on either the first or the second day of their period.
4. Wet & Dry
To ensure that their employees are comfortable and don’t have to endure pain in office, feminine hygiene products maker Wet & Dry Personal Care, has offered their women employees two days off in a month as period leave.
5. Swiggy
Food delivery platform Swiggy has started a two day fully paid leave every month for its regular women delivery partners. Along with this, they have other initiatives like providing access to sanitary facilities, access to vehicles and safety precautions for women partners too.
6. Byju’s
Women working for the eduTech company Byju’s are entitled to take upto 12 period leaves every year, with every month, one period leave being credited in their leave account. The employee can take either one full day off or two half days off.
7. Horses Stable News
Along with giving female employees a two day off every month as menstruation leave, the have proposed giving all married female employees in the organization a day off to care and support their spouses in stressful times.
Its heartening to see organizations finally opening up to the stigma of menstruation and accepting it rather than just putting it off. Finally, women can take a breather and continue contributing to the workforce of the country like they have been all this while but a with a little more comfort at their disposal.
