In an attempt to eliminate the stigma associated with menstruation, Zomato, the food-delivery company has introduced period leave. The women employees of the Company can now avail of 10 days of period leave in a year.
Given the fact that the subject of menstruation is still not discussed openly in the country, the introduction of period leave is a bold and welcoming step by Zomato in the right direction. Zomato encourages its women employees (including transgender) to speak about it on internal groups and openly ask for ‘period leave’.
The move by Zomato strengthens the Company’s commitment towards diversity and inclusion. It is also an important step towards ensuring a culture of “trust, truth and acceptance”.
In an e-mail to the staff, the Company’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, called out to the male employees asking them to trust the women when they apply for period leave and express a desire to take rest. Goyal pointed out in his mail that the Company understands how painful an experience it is for women during that time of the month, and that only by supporting them through their difficult time can the Company hope to establish a truly “collaborative culture”.
The Gurugram-based Zomato has a workforce of over 5,000, and is probably one of the first amongst the big names in the Indian corporate world to institute ‘period leave’.
