Two months after facing intense backlash for his January 2025 comments on a 90-hour workweek and ¡°how long can you stare at your wife,¡± L&T chairman S N Subrahmanyan has introduced a one-day paid menstrual leave for female employees. Announced ahead of International Women¡¯s Day on March 8, the policy applies only to women in L&T¡¯s parent company, leaving out subsidiaries. While some hail it as a step toward inclusivity, many on social media remain unconvinced, calling it a token gesture amid larger workplace equity concerns.
This policy is expected to benefit around 5,000 women working at the company's headquarters. However, the company is still finalizing how the policy will be implemented. The leave applies only to employees of the parent company, excluding those working in its financial services and technology subsidiaries.
L&T employs approximately 60,000 people, of which only 9% are women. With this initiative, the company joins other Indian firms like Swiggy and Zomato, which have already implemented menstrual leave policies.
However, social media users have not been impressed. From memes to sarcastic posts, many have questioned the sincerity and inclusivity of the policy.
¡°Subrahmanyan¡¯s one-day paid leave is like Trump appreciating Zelensky for his suit. One is amid a work-life balance debate, the other is negotiating resources for war. L&T has 60,000 employees, with just 9% women, and now a leave policy that benefits only a fraction. This seems impulsive and poorly thought out. Tokenism is a poor manipulation. L&T needs real reforms.¡± wrote a user on Linkedin, comparing the leave policy to an empty gesture, criticizing L&T¡¯s lack of substantial reforms and pointing out the company¡¯s low percentage of female employees.
¡°L&T¡¯s new leave policy: Subrahmanyan announces one-day paid menstrual leave for women employees.?Only for working women in the parent company of L&T. It will not be extended to its subsidiary companies. Are they not women?¡± wrote another user questioning why the leave is not extended to all female employees across L&T¡¯s subsidiaries.
¡°L&T Chairman and Managing Director S. N. Subrahmanyan has made history by introducing a one-day menstrual leave policy¡ªa decision that goes beyond policies and enters the realm of deep understanding and respect for women in the workforce. This isn¡¯t just about taking a day off. Most women in leadership, and across all levels, have never asked for special treatment. We work late nights, meet deadlines, and rise to challenges every day. But this initiative is not about time off¡ªit¡¯s about acknowledging a biological reality and embracing true workplace equity. For generations, menstrual health has been a silent struggle in professional spaces. The fact that this is now being recognized at a corporate level is monumental. It tells every woman at L&T¡ªand beyond¡ªthat we are not unseen, we are heard, and we belong.¡± read a post? supporting L&T¡¯s policy, calling it a step towards inclusivity and workplace equity.
¡°While this initiative is a commendable step towards empathy and support, I believe it's important to remember that not all women experience menstrual discomfort in the same way. It's essential that this leave is utilized by those who genuinely need it, ensuring it serves its intended purpose without being misused.?¡± said a user acknowledging the policy as a positive step but also emphasizing the need for responsible use.
"L&T¡¯s chairman introduces a one-day menstrual leave. One more day for husbands to stare at their wives.¡± read a post on X (now Twitter) mocking Subrahmanyan¡¯s earlier controversial statement on ¡®staring at your wife'.
In January, the L&T chairman also said that India¡¯s workforce was becoming reluctant to relocate due to government welfare schemes. Many criticised this statement, calling it misleading and insulting to workers.
L&T head HR Sonica Muraleedharan defended the Chairman¡¯s remarks about wanting employees to work for 90 hours stating that the chairman's remarks were ¡®misinterpreted¡¯ and taken out of context.
"It's truly disheartening to see how the words of our MD & Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan (SNS) have been taken out of context, leading to misunderstandings and unnecessary criticism. Having been present during the internal address, I can confidently state that SNS never implied or mandated 90-hour work weeks," she wrote on LinkedIn.
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