After Karnataka’s move, Mumbai-based lender rolls out paid menstrual leave

A week after the Karnataka government extended paid menstrual leave to its women employees, Mumbai-based SMFG India Credit has introduced a similar policy across its nationwide workforce, signalling a broader shift in how employers are responding to conversations on gender-sensitive workplace practices.

On 2 December, Karnataka issued a government order granting one paid menstrual leave per month to women government employees aged 18 to 52. The measure came after the state had already mandated monthly menstrual leave for women working across factories, shops and commercial establishments under labour laws including the Factories Act, the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, the Plantation Workers Act and others. The Press Trust of India reported that the leave requires no medical certificate and must be recorded separately from other leave categories.

Against this backdrop, SMFG India Credit announced that all its women employees would receive one paid menstrual leave monthly, in addition to existing leave entitlements. Unlike conventional leave processes, the company said the leave will be auto-approved, without managerial intervention or medical documentation, and must be used within the same month.

Ravi Narayanan, Managing Director and CEO, said the decision reflects evolving expectations of a modern workforce. “We have proactively implemented menstrual leave across our pan-India offices to reinforce our focus on inclusion and the holistic well-being of women employees,” he said.

Chief Human Resources Officer Gaurav Terdal said the policy was part of building a more equitable culture. “This reflects our commitment to creating a workplace that respects diverse needs and ensures dignity and comfort for all,” he said.

The move places SMFG India Credit among a small but growing number of private organisations formalising menstrual leave at a time when public-sector policy is expanding. While Karnataka’s announcement applies to state workers and employees across registered establishments, private companies are not yet required by law to offer menstrual leave. Industry observers say voluntary adoption by larger employers may accelerate dialogue on national guidelines.

SMFG India Credit said the policy aligns with its broader inclusion framework, which includes childcare facilities, IVF support, outpatient consultations and pregnancy care packages. The company is also investing in leadership development programmes for mid- and senior-level women employees, along with organisation-wide sensitisation initiatives aimed at addressing gender bias.

The introduction of menstrual leave has also faced legal and operational debate. The Bangalore Hotels Association recently challenged Karnataka’s earlier directive on compulsory menstrual leave in the High Court, arguing that the state had not extended the same provision to its own employees at the time. With the new order closing that gap, attention may now shift to how private-sector employers respond and whether more companies adopt similar policies.

For now, SMFG India Credit’s decision extends a benefit that remains rare in the private sector — and reflects a growing recognition that workplace infrastructure must evolve with the workforce it serves.