The Congress-led Siddaramaiah dispensation in Karnataka has taken a bold step by adopting a menstrual leave policy, allowing women in both government and private sectors to take one paid day off a month during their periods. The policy has led to diverse insights.
Vineeta Yadav, co-president of EMCC Asia Pacific, expressed concern about the policy, calling it not that “progressive,” adding that it could unintentionally widen the gender gap in the workplace as hiring managers could become reluctant to choose female employees due to extra leave.
“Hiring managers and employers will never say it out loud, but they will think: '12 extra paid days off a year? Easier to hire a man.' Instead of creating equality, this could widen the divide,” Yadav wrote on networking site LinkedIn.
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What alternatives has Yadav suggested?
Yadav further suggested that there was a better way to do this – one that “supports the health and dignity of everyone without singling out women.” She suggested:
“A universal wellness leave policy for everyone – a few days a year, no explanation needed.
Flexibility of working from home for any health reason, whether or not period-related.
Better workplace design – rest areas, awareness and empathy built into the culture, not carved out for gender.
Ultimately, it is about creating systems in which people – regardless of gender or other differences – can show their best side. Well-intentioned laws can still have flawed results,” she wrote.
How did social media react?
The post has attracted numerous responses from social media users, with several voicing their opinions in the comments section.
One user wrote: “Well said. The path to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Another wrote: “I love your perspective and I completely agree.”
Also read | Spain is the first to pass the menstrual leave law in Europe
A third user said: “The solution, written down in 5 points, makes sense, but there are already plenty of reasons not to hire women. Work life is already difficult for women. At least this leaves a choice. Those who are already working and making their way to the top are responsible for showing how this can be used. It's a choice and it's good to have one, depends on how we use it, it's up to us!”
What has Karnataka done?
The state cabinet has approved a policy that allows all working women, across all industries and sectors, to take one paid day off every month due to menstrual complaints.
Unlike previous initiatives in India that only applied to government employees, Karnataka's policy also extends to women in private companies.
Why is this policy important?
Karnataka's menstrual leave policy is seen as a milestone for workplace inclusion. It makes the state one of the first in India to offer paid menstrual leave, not just for government employees but also for the entire private sector.
