The Supreme Court has expressed concerns that making menstrual leaves mandatory at workplaces could harm job opportunities for women, as firms may be hesitant to hire them.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi refused to entertain a plea seeking menstrual leaves for female students and working women across India.
The top court said it would be 'excellent' if private companies granted these leaves voluntarily, but making them compulsory would hurt women's careers.
The Chief Justice was quoted as saying that if menstrual leaves were made compulsory, employers would view women as inferior and may even advise them to stay at home.
The court urged the petitioner to consider alternative options, such as granting more paid leaves to employers.
The competent authority may consider the representation and examine the possibility of framing a policy on menstrual leave after consulting all relevant stakeholders.
