SC’s BIG statement on mandatory menstrual leave, says it could…

The SC warned that making menstrual leave mandatory at workplaces could harm women’s job prospects, as firms might hesitate to hire them.

The Supreme Court of India on Friday cautioned that making menstrual leave mandatory at workplaces could negatively affect employment opportunities for women, as firms may become reluctant to hire them.

The observation was made by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, while hearing a plea seeking legal recognition of menstrual leaves for female students and working women across the country.

The bench noted that while it would be ‘excellent’ for private companies to offer menstrual leaves voluntarily, making such leave compulsory could harm women’s careers. The Chief Justice explained, ‘The moment you say compulsory in law, nobody will give them jobs, nobody will take them in judiciary or government jobs; their career is over… they will say – you should sit at home after informing everyone,’ as reported by LiveLaw.