There has been a major online debate going on about menstrual leave. Various sections of society have been expressing their opinion regarding it, the latest addition being Chai Sutta Bar’s founder, Anubhav Dubey. Dubey shared on social media that his company implemented menstrual leave approximately three months ago. Addressing the ongoing discussion on paid menstrual leave, Dubey emphasised the importance of recognising diverse experiences and needs related to menstruation. He noted the varying responses from women in his team, acknowledging that while some may not require leave during their menstrual cycle, others face significant discomfort affecting their work.
In a LinkedIn post, Dubey wrote, “Giving leave for menstrual days was not a tough decision. I believe there are a few things that only women understand, and we, as men, only get to see and hear about them." Reflecting on discussions with female team members, he continued, “Around three months ago, we were incorporating “period leave" at Chai Sutta Bar, and when we introduced this to the female members of our team, we had different responses. Some of them said that they did not need any period leave, while others said that they needed this leave because they felt unbearable cramps. The discussion was very healthy, as everyone respected the different experiences faced by different women in the room."
Acknowledging the diversity of human bodies, Dubey further wrote, “I think every human body is not the same. There are some women whose bodies can bear this pain, and then there are these women who we have seen fainting because of the intensity of the pain. Both of them are justified."
Explaining his company’s policy regarding paid menstrual leave, he informed that it allows women with severe menstrual pain the option to take leave, while not imposing it on those who do not feel the need. Dubey stressed the importance of keeping the option of leave for this natural process open, implementing it to cater to those who genuinely require it.
Check out his post here:
Since sharing his perspective, Dubey’s post has garnered significant attention, accumulating more than 7,000 reactions and over 250 comments. Social media users praised the initiative, commending the company’s approach to addressing the diverse needs of female employees.
This discussion comes amidst a broader online debate on menstrual leave, sparked by comments from Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani. Irani stated that there is no current government proposal to make paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces.
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